<
>

Joachim Low criticises Germany finishing vs. Gibraltar

Germany coach Joachim Low was unimpressed with his side's performance despite beating Gibraltar 7-0 in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday.

The world champions were struggling against the underdogs in the first half, failing to convert a number of chances while only managing to score once.

Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze, Andre Schurrle and Karim Bellarabi all wasted good opportunities, with Low complaining about his players' finishing.

"How we wasted our chances was on the verge of arrogance" he said after the match. "We have to improve our game in the last third of the field. The last action before the finish has to be better."

Germany have been struggling for much of season following last summer's World Cup success.

With six matches played, Poland sit top of Group D in Euro 2016 qualifying, one point ahead of Germany.

"It was a tough year for us but that was to be expected," Low said. "We were not as sovereign as we used to be, but we have still got the quality."

Low, however, is optimistic that things will change for the better for his side next season.

"I am convinced that Die Mannschaft will be back on track after the summer break," Low said.

Low claims he still gained some important insight during the previous games against United States and Gibraltar -- Germany lost 2-1 to United States in a friendly last week.

He praised debutant Patrick Herrmann and youngster Antonio Rudiger, while he was also content with the efforts of Jonas Hector because the winger "plays matter-of-factly, keeps things simple and makes no mistakes."

Herrmann was self-critical about his own finishing but also happy after his first two international matches.

"I was hoping to earn my first cap and now I've started in both matches," he told kicker. "To wear the jersey with the badge on it is great and a huge honour to me."

Schurrle, meanwhile, seemed to be happy that the campaign was finally over.

"It was a season to learn from. You learn more in bad times than when things are good," Schurrle, who moved from Chelsea to Wolfsburg in January, told kicker.

"I should have taken a time-out more often. I should hear what my body has to say instead of playing with problems."

Despite scoring a hat trick against Gibraltar, Schurrle was not completely satisfied with his performance on Saturday.

"Two of my three goals were mere tap-ins," he said.