Low’s expectations contrast sharply with those of England and Hodgson

THE contrasting levels of importance attached to tonight’s friendly by England and Germany can perhaps best be judged by the noises coming out of the two camps in recent days.

Where England have been speaking of the need to avoid back-to-back home defeats for the first time since the final days of Don Revie’s reign and Roy Hodgson has confirmed the return of his available big guns, Joachim Low has exuded an altogether more relaxed air.

Over the weekend, the Germany coach confirmed he is prepared to take on England without his captain, his first-choice goalkeeper and the £42m August signing who is currently wowing the Premier League in Arsenal colours.

Then, yesterday, Low spoke of the game being an “acid test” for several of his fringe players – an approach that is in stark contrast to how Germany prepared for last Friday’s friendly in Italy when a first choice XI was unfortunate to come away with only a 1-1 draw.

For a fixture against their oldest foe to come second behind a clash with the Italians says much about how good a place Low’s men find themselves in as the countdown continues towards next year’s World Cup finals.

This belief was reinforced by Friday’s performance in the San Siro as Germany hit the woodwork three times in a contest that even the Italians admitted afterwards had been a largely one-sided affair.

England, in contrast, go into tonight’s friendly on the back of a desperately disappointing performance against Chile that ended with Hodgson’s players being jeered from the field at the final whistle.

Any optimism that had built courtesy of qualifying for Brazil 2014 has largely dissipated thanks to the all-too familiar manner in which the Three Lions were exposed by a team capable of moving the ball at pace.

Put simply, England cannot afford a repeat at Wembley tonight – something of which Hodgson is well aware.

He said: “We learned a lot against Chile. I said after the game that I thought they were very good and played extremely well. It was a new experience for many of us, many of our players in particular. We came across a team that, on the night, hit an unbelievably strong vein of form.

“It is more a question of us taking the lessons from that, not beating ourselves up too badly about it. Because I am pretty sure if we meet South American opposition of that quality during the World Cup, we will be better prepared for it.

“We would maybe have a different team because a lot of players that played on Friday night were playing, if not their first game for England, then one of their earliest games.

“A lot of very experienced and talented players were left on the bench and they will take their part in the Germany game.”

Among those returning to the starting line-up tonight after being rested on Friday are captain Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge, Ashley Cole and Joe Hart.

Germany, meanwhile, will be without Mesut Ozil, captain Phillip Lahm and goalkeeper Manuel Neueur. The last two have been released back to their clubs ahead of Saturday’s Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund clash in the Allianz Arena.

With England desperate to avoid suffering a second home defeat in five defeats – something that has not happened since Wales and Scotland triumphed at Wembley in the 1977 Home Championships – Hodgson has plumped for Wayne Rooney and Sturridge in attack.

Asked of the impact another loss would have tonight, the Three Lions manager replied: “Well, it won’t stop us winning our first game of the World Cup, will it?

“I am not trying to be clever. I don’t see the relevance. What were the circumstances? These two games don’t feature in the same category as that (Home Championship matches against Scotland and Wales).

“If they had done, I certainly wouldn’t have selected the team I did against Chile. And I certainly wouldn’t be selecting the team I am against Germany.

“I don’t think, psychologically, it would have any effect in six or seven months’ time. I can’t give guarantees that we definitely will put the result of Friday right because Germany are a very good team.

“But I expect us to be much wiser after this game, as I was after Friday night. And I hope that what I learn will be important when it really matters, in tournament football.

“In 14 serious matches, we lost one on penalties. In the other 13 we are unbeaten.”

Rooney is joined as the only survivor from Friday’s starting XI by Adam Lallana, who will be given another chance to impress in a midfield that will also feature Tom Cleverley, Gerrard and Andros Townsend.

Hodgson added: “I thought he (Lallana) did well. He is benefiting from the fact that some players are missing through injury, particularly (Danny) Welbeck.

“It will be good to see him again. He, more than players like James Milner and Jack Wilshere to name two other midfielders, is one that has spent less time with us and it is more important that I get a longer look at him and some of the players who have been with me since the Euros.”

One player who Hodgson has stuck by throughout a difficult few months is Hart.

For club and country, the goalkeeper has made some almighty blunders but he retains the support of the England manager.

“I am sure he will respond well,” said Hodgson when asked about Hart, who he always intended resting for the Chile game in order to take a look at Celtic’s Fraser Forster.

“Joe is a proud man. He is very pleased to be playing for England and he has done well for us. We have had no cause to doubt him. I think he is entitled to feel confident when he puts on an England jersey.”

England v Germany

Venue: Wembley.

TV coverage: ITV, 7.30pm. Kick-off 8pm.

Team news: Roy Hodgson makes a host of changes from the side beaten 2-0 by Chile on Friday night. Among those returning are captain Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart, Daniel Sturridge and Ashley Cole. Roman Weidenfeller will make his debut in goal at the age of 33 for Germany, who will be without Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neueur and captain Philipp Lahm.

Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France).

Last time: England 1 Germany 2; November 19, 2008; Friendly.