We don’t fear the Dutch, says Germany coach Löw

Germany coach Joachim Löw has insisted his side has nothing to fear ahead of tonights friendly against World Cup finalist the Netherlands in Hamburg as the team looks to finish 2011 in style.

After winning all 10 of their Euro 2012 qualifiers and humbling Brazil in an August friendly, Löw is looking for Germany’s first win over the Dutch since 1996 in what will be his 75th international as national team coach.

Both sides are without key players with Germany captain Philipp Lahm being rested and Bayern Munich star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger missing with a broken collarbone.

Likewise, Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is out with a thigh strain while striker Robin van Persie has returned to his Premier League club Arsenal to be rested.

The Dutch attack will feature Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder and Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt, but Loew says his team -- including Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Özil and Bayern’s Mario Gomez -- are relishing the challenge.

“We have no fear and there is no reason to be afraid,” said Loew told reporters yesterday. “It will be a great challenge to play against the number two team in the world. I expect an aggressive and interesting game.”

While both teams are among the Euro 2012 favorites, they share a rich history with Germany racking up 13 wins to the Netherlands’ 10 and the sides drawing 14 times since their first encounter in 1910.

Their most explosive clash was in Milan at the 1990 World Cup when Germany beat the Netherlands 2-1 in a bad-tempered quarter-final.

Both Germany’s Rudi Völler and Holland’s Frank Rijkaard were sent off early in the match after the Dutchman infamously spat at the German midfielder.

A Dutch reporter could not resist asking whether the match in Hamburg was a friendly game or a war between neighbors.

“It is a test game for both teams, this game has no influence on next year,” replied Löw diplomatically. “Of course, we both want a win, we want to both show what we can do, but I don’t think it will come with an elevated level of aggression.”

Löw played an experimental three-man defense in Friday’s 3-3 draw with Ukraine in Kiev and is considering playing a traditional 4-4-2 formation against the Dutch.

Veteran Miroslav Klose, who is six goals short of Gerd Müller’s record as Germany’s all-time top scorer, trained on Sunday and Löw said he will decide on Monday night whether he will partner Mario Gomez up front.

The coach also said Hamburg’s Dennis Aogo will switch from defensive midfielder to left back while Ozil will start.

The Dutch meanwhile are looking for a win in Hamburg after they were booed by their own fans after a goalless draw against Switzerland in Amsterdam on Friday.

“The Netherlands have mastered the system they play, they know exactly what to do and they are hard to beat,” said Loew.

“Their extra class is the strength they have shown over the years, they have individual players who have great speed, especially in one-to-one situations.”