Joachim Loew says Germany must adapt to their status as world champions when his new-look side face Poland in Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier, with opponents increasingly eager to topple them.

Nearly three months after lifting the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Loew brings a very different squad to Poland from the one which triumphed in Brazil.

Injury and retirements mean only 15 of Germany's 23-man World Cup squad are currently available and the absence of Arsenal's attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil has thrown Loew's plans for the match at Warsaw's National Stadium "into disarray".

Germany take on Group D leaders Poland, then host the Republic of Ireland in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday and Loew has said he wants six points to make sure they finish October top of their qualifying group.

But as the 54-year-old acknowledges, the world champions are now the team to beat and he expects Poland to give their all in chasing a maiden win over Germany at the 19th attempt.

"Opponents are giving that little bit extra against us in the hope of beating the world champions and neither of these games will be easy for us," said Loew.

Poland's coach Adam Nawalka says his team are desperate to break their German duck following 12 defeats and six draws in 18 encounters.

"We have respect, but no fear," he said. "We are eager to show our best and will do everything to achieve an historic victory."

Even with veterans Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose retired, plus Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Marco Reus and Mario Gomez injured, Loew can still rely on an experienced core.

"Our losses are a bitter blow, but we still have a good axis," he added.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set to captain the side while centre-backs Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng will be tasked with containing Poland's hot-shot striker Robert Lewandowski.

Toni Kroos, who was outstanding in Brazil, will continue in the central midfield role while Mario Goetze, whose injury-time strike settled the final, is likely to start up front.

Germany do have options as Chelsea's Andre Schuerrle and Schalke's Julian Draxler are both now available after shaking off injury and flu respectively.

"I'm sure that we can muster a good team and I am optimistic," said Loew.

Germany have struggled for results since the World Cup having lost 4-2 to Argentina in a friendly and laboured to a 2-1 win over Scotland in their opening qualifier.

Loew is set to blood some youngsters, namely Dortmund left-back Erik Durm, Hoffenheim right-back Sebastian Rudy, Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Karim Bellarabi and Borussia Moenchegladbach striker Max Kruse.

Warsaw's National Stadium stirs memories of Germany's 2-1 defeat to Italy in the EURO 2012 semi-final when the Azzurri comfortably beat Loew's side, who had no answer to Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli.

"In retrospect, the manner of the defeat as much as the result was perhaps quite helpful, even if it was painful, and we learnt a lesson from it," admitted Loew.