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Preview: Germany v Poland

Poland have won just one of their last 20 games with Germany but Joachim Löw says the world champions they will have to be on their guard against one of the best counterattacking sides around.

Germany coach Joachim Löw is wary of Poland's threat on the break
Germany coach Joachim Löw is wary of Poland's threat on the break ©Getty Images
  • Neighbours Germany and Poland lock horns again after trading wins in qualifying
  • Poland's 2-0 home success is their only victory against Germany in 20 meetings
  • Mats Hummels could replace opening-game scorer Shkodran Mustafi for Germany
  • Both teams won their openers, Germany against Ukraine and Poland v Northern Ireland
  • Six Poland squad members play or have played for German clubs

Possible line-ups
Germany
: Neuer; Höwedes, Hummels/Mustafi, Boateng, Hector; Kroos, Khedira; Müller, Özil, Draxler; Götze.
Doubtful: Hummels (calf)

Poland: Fabiański; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jędrzejczyk; Błaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Mączyński, Kapustka; Milik, Lewandowski.
Out: Szczęsny (thigh)

Coach quotes
Joachim Löw, Germany coach
Poland are well organised, that's their biggest strength. They wait, they counterattack. That's their game, quick transitions. They are even better than Ukraine in that sense, because they are more flexible. They are one of the best counterattacking teams I have seen over the past two years.

All five matches I have had against Poland were difficult. I expect we will have more of the ball as the Polish players like to drop deep. It is important to have small, nimble players up front.

Adam Nawałka, Poland coach
Winning against Germany in the EURO qualifiers was a really important moment for the development of this team. But with our good players, such important wins would have come around sooner or later.

We believe in ourselves but we face one of the best teams in the world so it is going to be very, very difficult. Every game here is a special day for us. We are proud we are here representing Poland.

EURO2016.com team reporters
Steffen Potter, Germany (@UEFAcomSteffenP)
It is the second match, and during the Löw era the second game at a major tournament has tended to be unconvincing. The world champions were a bit wobbly at the back in beating Ukraine and they can't afford the same against Poland: a world-class forward like Robert Lewandowski would exploit similar openings. Shkodran Mustafi may have to make way for Mats Hummels and Löw is certainly hinting that Mario Götze will get the nod ahead of Mario Gomez because space will be tight.

Piotr Koźmiński, Poland (@UEFAcomPiotrK)
Poland gained not only three points against Northern Ireland, but a lot of confidence too. They will go into the game against Germany with no fear, and Lewandowski says he is "hungry" for goals. With Arkadiusz Milik, the scorer on Sunday, they should cause the Germany rearguard a lot of problems. Wojciech Szczęsny is out but Poland have great depth in the goalkeeping department. Germany are favourites yet, as Łukasz Piszczek warns, Poland are ready to spring a surprise. I predict goals!

Form guide (all games, most recent first)
Germany: WWLWLLWLWW
Poland: WDLWWWWWDW

Did you know?
Although Poland are appearing at their third successive EURO finals, they have still to make it through the group stage. They failed to win a game in their first two finals campaigns: W0 D3 L3. Find out more in our extensive match background.

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