Germany boss Joachim Low is hoping his players can break down an Azerbaijan side he expects will adopt a defensive approach.

The World Cup semi-finalists opened their Group A account with a hard-fought 1-0 win in Belgium on Friday and are heavy favourites to claim another three points against a team ranked 105th in the world.

But Low is predicting it will not be as straightforward as a glance at the rankings would suggest.

He said: "We know how it will go, the opponent will sit on the edge of their penalty area and try to destroy our game. They will wait for a counter.

"That's why we have to up the pace. Then we will get chances and hopefully one or two goals."

Low will make just one change to the side which won in Brussels with left-back Marcell Jansen injured. His Hamburg team-mate Heiko Westermann is likely to deputise.

"Jansen is out so we will have to find another solution. Otherwise it will be the same team with no changes," he added.

The goalkeeping spot has been a troublesome position for Germany over the past few years but Low appears to have settled on Schalke number one Manuel Neuer.

Neuer impressed during the World Cup and kept a clean sheet in an efficient display on Friday.

The 24-year-old is keen to replace the faith shown in him by Low going forward.

"The confidence which is now placed in me, I want to return," he said. "I want to not only maintain my current level but expand it even further."

Azerbaijan are managed by former Germany boss Berti Vogts and the man who led his country to their last major trophy - the 1996 European Championship - is under no illusions about the size of the task awaiting his side.

"Of course we want to try and avoid a big defeat. But it is a great learning experience for my team," he said.

"Germany are the best team in the world, even better than (world and European champions) Spain."