Republic Face Low with Walters

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Stoke's Jon Walters will lead the line for the Republic of Ireland when they face European Championship semi-finalists Germany at the Aviva Stadium in a World Cup qualifier on Friday night.

Walters comes in for Robbie Keane, who will miss his first competitive game since last October because of an Achilles injury.

Aiden McGeady and Simon Cox are to provide some width for the hosts while a three-man midfield of Keith Andrews, James McCarthy and Keith Fahey will line up behind Walters.

In the absence of Keane, John O'Shea will skipper the side, and he will move inside to partner Darren O'Dea at centre-back, so Seamus Coleman will man the right-back position, with Stephen Ward on the left.

The Republic won their opening World Cup qualifier 2-1 in Kazakhstan but they required two late goals to avoid a costly defeat and will be hoping for a better display on Friday.

The Germans sit atop Group C with six points from two matches, having won 2-1 in Austria before beating the Faroe Islands 3-0.

In the absence of the suspended Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will captain the visitors.

And coach Joachim Low may give Heiko Westermann his first cap in almost two years at full-back in place of Lahm.

Sami Khedira is favourite to partner Schweinsteiger in the middle of the pitch, although Low says Toni Kroos will be "playing a part at some stage of the game".

Republic of Ireland: Westwood, Coleman, O'Shea, O'Dea, Ward, McGeady, Andrews, McCarthy, Fahey, Cox, Walters.

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Schweinsteiger Demands Respekt

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Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has demanded more respect for the national team's performances after reaching the Euro 2012 semi-finals in June, their fourth successive last-four spot or better in major tournaments.

Schweinsteiger, criticised for playing in the European Championship despite nursing an injury picked up in Bayern Munich's Champions League final defeat by Chelsea, said Germany's overall record was very successful.

“(Semi-final finishes) should not be taken for granted,” the midfielder told reporters in Dublin today ahead of the World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on Friday. We did not drop a point in the qualifiers, we beat top 10 teams in our group and then lost just one game.”

“I think it is a pity, it is not always fair but that is the way it is. There are other teams who have targets and it is not easy to keep winning,”

Germany completed their first ever perfect Euro group stage with wins over Portugal, Netherlands and Denmark before beating Greece in the quarter-finals for their 14th successive victory in competitive games. They had also won 10 out of 10 qualifiers for a new German record.

“I don’t think everything is bad, not many teams can claim to have such a track record. I think the respect is missing a bit. It is nowhere written down that we are going to win every game. I did everything to reach that Champions League final and (for the Euros) I had little time to recuperate,” added the 28-year-old, who missed his team's first two Group C qualifiers in September, but will be captain the side at the Aviva with Philipp Lahm suspended.

“Two or three weeks more maybe would have been even better for the injury to be cured but I think I gave everything I got at the Euro. Unfortunately in one game against a great team Italy we lost.”

The national team have been criticised since that defeat for failing to clinch a major trophy in 16 years while coach Joachim Loew has been accused by Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness of being too soft with his players.

“The team is working well and that means I can now focus more on my game,” he said. “I feel fit and healthy.”

Schweinsteiger still has fond memories of his last trip to Dublin back in 2007, when Germany drew 0-0 at Croke Park having already achieved qualification for the 2008 European Championships.

“It is a special feeling playing there. "The atmosphere is different, it has this special something.

“We had the joy of playing there five years ago and it is difficult to win there. It would be a huge advantage to get the three points but they are a tough team with a clever fox of a coach (Giovanni Trapattoni).”

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Low Faces German Spy

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A nagging ankle problem for Bastian Schweinsteiger and the continuing issue of a mole in the camp have cast a small shadow over Germany's preparations for their Euro 2012 semi-final in Warsaw on Thursday.

The experienced holding midfielder Schweinsteiger has missed some training sessions due to an ankle injury picked up earlier in the year. "He has a problem and obviously it is best when no player has a problem," the captain Philipp Lahm said on Sunday. "It is OK when you miss a training session but when you need to sit out several then it is not that easy."

"But I am not too concerned. Bastian knows his body inside out, he is experienced and he will be able to deliver on Thursday."

Germany will meet either England or Italy, who play later on Sunday, for a place in the final on 1 July in Kiev.

"We need fit players, so much is clear," said Lahm when asked whether Schweinsteiger would play even if not fully fit. "We have depth in the squad and that gives you peace of mind. But clearly it would be good if Bastian Schweinsteiger could play on Thursday."

Germany made four changes to their lineup in their 4-2 quarter-final win over Greece compared to their last group game against Denmark but looked even sharper.

Preparations for their fourth straight semi-final in a major tournament have also been hit by revelations that someone has been leaking the lineups for group games and their quarter-final match against Greece to the media hours before the start.

The coach, Joachim Löw, has said none of his players was responsible but did not rule out the possibility that the mole could be someone they had talked to, from friends and wives to perhaps agents.

Lahm said the issue had again been raised with the players and that the culprit was causing some damage. 

"Everyone should be aware that it is normal for a player to tell his wife, girlfriend or agent whether they will play once they find out but you cannot reveal the lineup. You cannot do that."

"It is sad when this thing comes out. The whole nation is behind us and it is not an advantage when it is leaked hours before. The one who released it has a problem. He has not understood how this works. But we will not deploy a spy," he said.

There is Life After Penalties...

Up in the stands of the Allianz Arena in Munich for the UEFA Champions League final was one of four players in the world who have scored in two World Cup Finals, and a current Director of Bayern Munich FC – and key part of that incredible era in the '70s in Germany football. To reflect his place in history perhaps, Paul Breitner was UEFA'S Official Ambassador for the final in his adopted home town of Munich. Ironically his two goals in the 1974 and 1982 finals were penalties, even though the second time Italy won the final 3-1. However in the previous round Breitner did win the penalty shootout in Seville, when Germany knocked out France in the semi-final. 

Ironic as well. Given that for the first time a German team has lost a penalty shootout which goes against their normal efficacy from the spot. Albeit a Dutchman missed the penalty in regulation against Chelsea it was the talented German international Bastian Schweinsteiger who missed – who also happens to come from the same city as Breitner, Kolbermoor. 

Having been the hero in the Santiago Bernabeu in the semi-final second leg playing Real Madrid, it was unfortunate that Basti – his nickname - missed in front of home fans at such a vital game for Bayern. But then that is sport. And that is football and many a great player has recovered from a penalty miss to live another day – once the immediate darkness and despair lifts.. None other than Gareth Southgate who sitting in the ITV Sport studios at the Allianz must have relived his experience at the EURO 1996 semi- final against – Germany – at Wembley missing the sixth penalty to see England leave the tournament the nation was hosting. 

In the same group of penalty takers though was Stuart Pearce who slammed his shot home and in doing so lifted a weight off his shoulders that had haunted him since July 1990 – when he missed in the world- cup seminal shootout. Again against Germany. Again it was against a German team, that then went on to win the world cup final from Argentina. Today Pearce is well ensconced in the Football Association managing England Under 21. His Turin tears converted to elation at Wembley when he had the chance to amend the error for England fans. Only to see Southgate miss. But then it has to be someone. 

For the Republic of Ireland it was Matt Holland when against Spain in the quarterfinals he missed his strike against Iker Casillas and is an active media pundit  today.

In France 98, and after a thrilling game which England were unlucky not to win in normal time, the expectation was that the penalty shoot-out would end in tears. So it did, with a penalty from Batty becoming the first player to miss in match that had seen David Beckham dismissed. 

At the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in 1994 the tedious clash between footballing giants Brazil and Italy ended all square and went to penalties. With the inform Roberto Baggio of Italy regarded as one of the certainties on that hot summer day to score his chance. But it was not to be with Baggio no doubt calling on his Buddhist beliefs when his strike flew well above the cross bar and seeing Brazil captain Dunga collect the trophy from US Vice President Al Gore. 

But in a final he was not alone in that experience as Italian based Frenchman David Trezeguet missed his chance in the final against Italy in Berlin in 2006 - when the teams were deadlocked after 120 minutes. But in the wake of the Zinedine Zidane sending off - for retaliating to Matterazzi's provocation - fate had decide perhaps that Italy would win. And so it was that when the talented Trezeguet carried the burden of failure for his country for a number of years. 

"I accepted my responsibility. It's part of football to accept your responsibility," said Trezeguet afterwards when his shot hit the crossbar, "Penalties are part of the game." 

"But it's part of the game. We have to accept it and work for the future." 

"We have to hold our heads high. We know we've had a good World Cup but it was all defined by this penalty." 

For the coming days and weeks it will feel the same for Bastian Schweinsteiger. But with the EURO 2012 finals just around the corner and he will no doubt have a quick opportunity to amend matters. In the same way that the historic 5 -1 defeat by England on September 1st 2001 in Munich was corrected in Bloemfontein when Germany blasted England out of the 2010 World Cup with a 4 -1 win. 

It’s clear there is life after missing penalty and Basti and Arjen will have their moment in the sun again. Over the summer no doubt. 

Paul Breitner did….

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Bayern Recover at Allianz Arena

Alles Klar Basti ...

Bastian Schweinsteiger has revealed he would love to work with Jose Mourinho at Bayern Munich.

Mourinho is one of Europe's top coaches, having recently added to his ever-growing list of achievements by guiding Real Madrid to the Liga title this season.

Despite speculation surrounding his future at Real, Mourinho has confirmed he is committed to the club ahead of the 2012-13 season.

Regardless, Schweinsteiger has talked up the possibility of the Portuguese one day taking the reins at the Allianz Arena, should they go searching for a successor to Jupp Heynckes.

"I have to admit that I see Mourinho as an excellent coach. Unfortunately he doesn't speak German. Either way, I believe Mourinho is a coach who would definitely be successful with Bayern," Schweinsteiger told Bild.

"I would very much like it if Bayern think of Mourinho if we are ever in the market for a new coach."

Mourinho, though, recently told Sport Bild: "I'd love [to work in Germany] but to be fair, it's very important in my skills as a coach to know the language.

"To communicate with the players, to be with the press in a very comfortable way because the media are a very important part of our job and I'd think I wouldn't be at the top of my potential working in Germany, so it's out of my mind.

"But because of the quality of the game and of many things I understand in German football, yes I would like it."

Bayern met Real in this season's Champions League and ultimately booked a place in the final against Chelsea as they won on penalties after the aggregate scoreline finsihed 3-3.

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Basti Flattered by Barca Comparisons

Bastian Schweinsteiger has revealed he is flattered by comparisons to Xavi and Andres Iniesta, but believes he is a different type of player to the Barcelona midfield extraordinaires. The 27-year-old Germany international has been repeated likened to the two Spaniards by his Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes, who took over at the Allianz Arena last summer.

“He is the heart of the team, a midfielder with outstanding tactical ability,” the 66-year-old said of Schweinsteiger earlier this season. “He always makes the right decisions. He is on par with Iniesta and Xavi.”

Schweini responded to Bayern’s official website: “They're both terrific players, no question about that. But I regard myself as a little bit different, especially in physical terms. I do win a few balls in the air, simply due to my physical stature. And I also come up with different solutions compared to them. But obviously I know what Jupp is trying to say.”

Schweinsteiger, who has made over 350 appearances for Bayern, his only club, since making debut in 2002, also returned the compliments, praising the job Heynckes has done in reviving Bayern. The Bavarian giants finished third last campaign, ten points behind first-placed Borussia Dortmund, but after finishing 2011 with three straight victories, they currently sit top of the Bundesliga, three points clear of both the defending champions and third-placed Schalke.

“He always keeps his cool and a sense of perspective,” Schweinsteiger said of Heynckes. “He's also incredibly knowledgeable and very good at putting himself in a player's shoes.

“He prefers a harmonious atmosphere, but there have been times when he's really laid into the team and pointed out our mistakes. That's very important.”

Schweinsteiger has been linked with a big-money January transfer to a host of Europe’s most powerful clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester United and particularly AC Milan. However, Heynckes and Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have insisted their industrious No31 is going nowhere as they chase an elusive treble.

Aside from the Bundesliga, Bayern are away to Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals on 8 February, before facing Basel over two legs in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, whose final will unfold at the Allianz Arena on 19 May. And with UEFA EURO 2012 upcoming, Schweinsteiger could get his hands on four trophies this summer.

Asked which one he would most like to lift, he responded: “That's hard to say, because all four are desirable. If I was forced to pick one, I'd say the Champions League. It's my personal priority, because I've yet to win it.

“There’s still a very long way to go. We'll need a little bit of luck, even though I hate falling back on fortune. In the first instance, we have to beat FC Basel. If we play to our potential and quality, we'll go through. But then you start facing the likes of Barcelona and Real. Those are always extremely tight games which can go either way.”

Turning to the Bundesliga title race, Schweinsteiger added: “Provided we stay as focused and keep it as tight as we have done for long stretches so far, we’ll be a long way down that road. But we need to work on dominating matches for the full 90 minutes.

"Twelve consecutive games without conceding a goal was very good indeed, and that should be our benchmark. I'm 100 per cent convinced we'll have an excellent second half to the season.“

Schweinsteiger, who has won 90 Germany caps, missed the last two months of 2011 through a shoulder injury, but is expected to be at Heynckes’s disposal when Bayern return to action away to Borussia Moenchengladbach, who are four points off the pace in fourth, on 20 January.