“We know Scotland can play better.”
The message from the Swiss camp is loud and clear, Scotland’s next opponents are expecting a big improvement from Steve Clarke’s side in Cologne on Wednesday.
Both manager Murat Yakin and defender Manuel Akanji were significantly impressed enough with Scotland’s qualifying campaign to overlook first night nerves in the Allianz Arena, when Germany hit five.
Manchester City’s Akanji was particularly complimentary.
“They lost the first game and didn’t show their best performance,” said the 28-year-old. “They want to show everyone they’re a better team than that.
“They had a great qualification campaign. They’re for sure coming for all three points and we have to be ready for that. They know, and we know, they can play better than they did in the first game.”
Akanji knows some of some of the Scots well, having come up against them in City’s run to a fourth consecutive Premier League title.
He talked about the “great seasons” both John McGinn and Scott McTominay had at Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively.
He also praised Andy Robertson’s qualities and threat down the left for both Liverpool and Scotland.