Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has claimed that Germany are "not invincible" as the two sides prepare to face off on Thursday night in Belfast.
The 2014 World Cup winners have never lost an away qualifier for the competition and arrive at Windsor Park on the back of 12 successive World Cup qualification wins away from home.
Northern Ireland, however, have won a national record five successive games and have not lost a competitive home contest in four years.
O'Neill told Sky Sports News: "Analysis is important because it's how it's interpreted - we've presented the Germans as a formidable opponent but not an invincible opponent.
"An opponent that on any given night, there's an opportunity for us to try and find a way to win the game and certainly the players believe that.
"I think Germany are the strongest team in Europe, arguably the world. The players they have coming into their squad seem to adapt to international football very quickly.
"The biggest thing is to set a team up that's difficult to beat. Players believe they can win from that platform."
Germany begin the contest five points clear of NI, who have guaranteed second spot in Group C and would seal one of the eight playoff berths were they to win.
Giuseppe Labellarte
