Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann says Northern Ireland have a “special way” of playing and he did not mean any offence with his comments after his side’s 3-1 win in Cologne last month.
The four-time World Cup winners will take on Michael O’Neill’s side again at Windsor Park in World Cup qualifying on Monday evening.
After the September meeting, Nagelsmann described Northern Ireland as “not brilliant to watch” and they “played a lot of long balls”.
Speaking on BBC NI’s coverage of the game in Germany, former Northern Ireland defender Stephen Craigan felt the description “was a bit disrespectful” to his old side.
Last week, O’Neill said that it was not his job to set up the team to the benefit of opposing managers.
On Sunday, Nagelsmann said his characterisation of Northern Ireland’s style was intended “with a lot of respect”.
“I said it may not be beautiful to watch but the more important topic, the key topic I mentioned, is they do it really well. They play long balls with an idea,” he added.
“They have a special mood in the team and I also mentioned it’s very difficult to beat this team, they don’t concede many goals and create a lot of chances also by set-pieces by doing this way.
“If anybody felt it was disrespectful, I will say sorry. I did not mean it as disrespectful, it was with a lot of respect for the team and they way they play.”