By SBI SOCCER
Germany has not had an easy ride in its qualifying campaign for the European Championship, but it has remained resilient, and it did so again against Scotland Monday.
Every time Germany grabbed the lead against Scotland, it seemed to lose it, and the two Group D foes headed into halftime break level at 2-2.
However, a second-half tally by Ilkay Gundogan was enough to give the 2014 World Cup champion a win at Hampden Park. A familiar face came through for the Germans in the first half, as Thomas Muller scored twice to help lead Germany to another win during the September international break.
Despite remaining atop the group and in a good position to advance to Euro 2016 with only two games remaining in qualification, some players were disappointed with the performance.
“We made mistakes from set pieces, which meant that Scotland were able to equalize twice,” goalkeeper Manuel Neuer told DFB after the win. “We want to keep going, as we have played well in the previous two matches. It’s annoying to concede goals, but we performed well and were the better team overall. We have to keep the momentum going.”
Elsewhere in Group D, the Republic of Ireland found a huge 1-0 win against Georgia, while Poland pounded Gibraltar, 8-1.
Here are some more news and notes from around the world:
BAYER LEVERKUSEN PLAYERS PRAISE MEXICO FORWARD ‘CHICHARITO’
Javier ‘Chicharito’ has yet to lace up for his new club in Germany, but he is already receiving praise from his peers.
While Chicharito is with Mexico during the September international break, some of Bayer Leverkusen’s players told German outlet Bild that the striker is going to be a great addition to the team.
“This is a great thing. We gained quality with him,” current Leverkusen captain Lars Bender said. “A player like him moving here shows how we have become more appealing and attractive in a sporting sense.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Bernd Leno said Chicharito’s experience playing and scoring goals with top clubs around the world will help the German club when it enters a difficult group in the UEFA Champions League, a group that includes Barcelona, Roma and BATE Borisov.
“Bayer worked hard in the last years to get a good reputation in Europe,” Leno said of Chicharito. “Now he brings much experience into our young team.”
SPAIN MANAGER DEL BOSQUE QUESTIONING START OF DE GEA
One week ago, Spanish national team head coach Vicente Del Bosque said it would be “very difficult” to include goalkeeper David De Gea into his Euro 2016 squad, but the manager may start him Tuesday anyway.
“I have changes on my mind against Macedonia,” Del Bosque said ahead of Spain’s encounter with Macedonia. “Both Casillas and De Gea have the right level to be starters with the national team. Both of them are here because they are great players. We have barely had time to recover. I don’t know how many changes I will make.”
Spain is tied with Slovakia with the most points in Group C, 18, but a test against Macedonia could be the perfect opportunity for Del Bosque to reintegrate De Gea into the squad.
Macedonia sits in last place, and Spain pummeled the national team in the pair’s previous meeting — a 5-1 result on Sept. 8, 2014 in Valencia.
QUICK KICKS
Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said he’d bet on Cristiano Ronaldo to be La Liga’s top scorer instead of Lionel Messi this season. (REPORT)
Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has suffered a right calf injury and may miss the team’s match against Atletico Madrid. (REPORT)
Claudio Pizarro, 37, rejoins German side Werder Bremen for third time, signing a one-year deal. (REPORT)
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is not phased after receiving jeers from France national team fans in the team’s friendly win against Serbia. (REPORT)
Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero doesn’t think the starting position at Manchester United is firmly his, with David De Gea back into the picture. (REPORT)
The German national team (DFB) has announced to extend its partnership with the restaurant chain McDonald’s until 2018. (REPORT)
Denmark and Armenia held each other to a scoreless draw in Group I.
Finland narrowly defeated Faroe Islands, 1-0, in Group F.
Northern Ireland inched closer to Euro 2016 qualification with a 1-1 tie to Hungary in Group F.
Greece continues to flounder, playing to a scoreless draw with Romania, who sit in second in Group F.
Portugal defeats Albania, 1-0, to solidify its first-place position in Group I.