Need to improve

Marco Reus told reporters on Friday that Germany wanted to make more of its chances on Sunday in its first European Championship qualifier and turn around their form quickly, after their surprise 4-2 loss in a friendly against Argentina earlier this week.

"We are really looking forward to the game in Dortmund," Reus said, who plays his club football for Borussia Dortmund. "The atmosphere once you get into the lead, or when you grab a late win, is electric."

After injuring himself just before the World Cup, Reus said that he was still not 100 percent fit at the moment, but that he felt his strength levels were getting better from game to game and that he was keen to take on a bigger role in the national team.

"I was sad not to be at the World Cup, but I don't think about the past," he said. "It was always clear to me that life has to go on."

Germany's goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke, who is acting as assistant to Joachim Löw until Thomas Schneider's arrival in October, said that Germany expected a tough game against Scotland.

"People who know our team's history, know that we have never had it easy against Scotland," Köpke said. "They have played well recently, and we won't be taking this game lightly."

New players for Sunday

Köpke admitted that communication between Germany's defenders against Argentina on Wednesday (03.09.14) left much to be desired.

Following the retirement of Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker from the national team, as well as the poor defensive showing against Argentina, Germany nominated two new players for the qualifier against Scotland. Schalke's Sidney Sam is back in German colors, as is Jerome Boateng from Bayern Munich, who returns from injury.

The coaches also considered calling up Bayern defender Holger Badstuber, who has returned to action in the Bundesliga after being sidelined for more than a year and a half due to a knee injury, Köpke said. But they eventually decided against inviting the 25-year-old Bayern Munich defender.

During the press conference, Köpke also took a moment to condemn the home crowd's jeering of Mario Gomez following his missed goal opportunities on Wednesday in Düsseldorf. He described the behavior as "unbelievable."

al/pfd (dpa, SID)