A revolving door of similar talents means that even fatigue and injuries cannot stop the powerful DFB team

GERMANY BENCH VS AUSTRIA



Andre Schurrle

Caps: 7



Simon Rolfes

Caps: 23



Cacau

Caps: 17



Mario Gotze

Caps: 8





Jerome Boateng

Caps: 15



Tim Wiese

Caps: 3



Per Mertesacker

Caps: 75









PLAYERS IN

Name From €m

Michele Pazienza Napoli Free Mirko Vucinic

Roma

15

Stephan Lichsteiner

Lazio

10

Arturo Vidal

Leverkusen 10

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By Clark Whitney | German Football EditorGermany extended their streak to a perfect eight consecutive wins in Euro 2012 qualifying on Friday, and in their 6-2 thrashing of Austria secured qualification for next summer’s tournament. It was a huge triumph for Joachim Low’s men against their neighbours, who despite playing well in spells, were overwhelmed by the DFB team’s irresistible attack.Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose were the heroes on the night for Germany, each being heavily involved in at least three goals. Credit should be given to the stars for the quality of their play, but there was a more important perspective on the match, which Low pointed out after the game.“We have been working for a long time to have a team in which the players can be replaced,” he said. “This must be so if you want to win something.”Low’s words were in reference to the goals from substitutes Mario Gotze and Andre Schurrle, who came on as late substitutes for Toni Kroos and fellow scorer Lukas Podolski.Even a few months ago, Germany might have struggled to maintain their momentum after making such swaps. In February, for example, Low made several premature substitutions and saw his team’s attack fall flat before conceding an equaliser to Italy. But on Friday, Schurrle and Gotze transitioned seamlessly into the team: each scored within minutes of being introduced.The replacements each added their own unique character to the game, but their similarities to the starters in both style and effectiveness were uncanny. This is not in the slightest bit serendipitous; rising prospects in Germany are given specific instructions in how to fit into the national team’s system, ensuring consistency and chemistry in the squad. And although some have proposed that Low may have “too much of a good thing” in many positions, the depth Germany possess can only be a good thing. Unless, of course, you are Marko Marin or Lewis Holtby.Many judge a team’s quality based on its starting XI, but in a gruelling, month-long tournament, substitutes can be critical. Had Ozil had a suitable back-up at the 2010 World Cup, he may not have so rapidly fatigued after the Round of 16. He now has that cover in the form of Gotze, who made his impact in just five minutes of play.In Schurrle, Low has a left-sided player who can offer more than Podolski in the build-up. If that doesn’t suit him, he can stick with the Koln man, who adds more of a striker-like quality on the wing. And of course if there is an injury to a key player, another will be ready to stand in. This stands for a number of positions, be the replacement one of Real Madrid’s starting defensive midfielders (Sami Khedira), Schalke’s captain (Benedikt Howedes), a 75-times capped international defender (Per Mertesacker), or one of many other options.It’s been a long time coming, but at long last, Germany have the depth they have so sorely needed in recent tournaments. A steady improvement has been seen in their tournament squads since 2004, and that trend will likely continue into 2012.Too much of a good thing? No, not a chance: Germany now have the depth they need. And if Low’s estimation is right, it will be enough to finally win something.