Faro, Portugal - Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger insists the world champions will not underestimate minnows Gibraltar in Saturday's Euro 2016 away qualifier in their bid to top their group.
The Germans are joint second in Group D, a point behind leaders Poland, as they head to Faro, Portugal, for Saturday's tie against the part-timers who have lost all five qualifiers so far, leaking 27 goals in the process.
Germany coach Joachim Loew has sent several star players, including Bayern Munich pair Thomas Mueller and Manuel Neuer, plus Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus, on holiday, but the world champions still expect three points.
A shock defeat in Poland and a home draw against the Republic of Ireland means Germany find themselves in the unusual situation of fighting for first place.
The Germans were beaten 2-1 by the United States on Wednesday in their warm-up friendly when the world champions' finishing was again an issue, as it has been since lifting the World Cup last July.
"We won't make the mistake of underestimating Gibraltar," said Schweinsteiger.
"Of course we know that we're better than them and it's clear that we have to pick up a win there, but it doesn't have to be double-digits.
"It has to be a good game from us. We have to find the breakthrough against a team which will sit back a lot."
The game is being held at Faro's Estadio Algarve, Gibraltar's home ground, even though it lies several hundred kilometres from the British territory.
AFP
