Germany take on Poland in a Group C fixture on Thursday with both are favourites to qualify for the knockout stages from their group.The outcome of this game, however, is likely to decide the table toppers. Joachim Low’s men look like the team to beat, having registered arguably the most convincing win, a 2-0 domination over Ukraine, in their opening game of Euro 2016. Poland could pull off THE upset of with their attack spearheaded by one of the best strikers of the world in the form of Robert Lewandowski.
The match will be live from 00:30 IST (Friday), 20:00 BST (Thursday). Watch live streaming of Germany v/s Poland on Sony Liv, Fox Soccer2Go or Premier Player. You can also catch the live commentary on Sportskeeda. The match will be telecasted live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD in India, Fox Sports in the USA and Premier Sports in the UK. The match will be played at the Stade de France, Paris.
Barring a difficult 20 minutes right before half-time, Germany were in control of most of the game against Ukraine, keeping 68% of the ball possession. They had 19 shots on goal as compared to 5 from their opponents. Germany’s swift counter-attacking style was well evident as they created a flurry of chances, and found the net again in the dying minutes after a rapid break saw Mesut Ozil tee up Bastian Schweinsteiger to seal the three points.
Poland come into the game with a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland and will be roaring to beat their arch-rivals Germany. The sides last met in the qualifiers for Euro 2016 where the Polish came on top, winning the match 2-0. Robert Lewandowski will come up against a number of his Bayern Munich teammates and they will be wary of the striker, who was the golden boot winner in the Bundesliga last season.
Germany’s player to look out will surely be Mesut Ozil. The former Real Madrid star was phenomenal for Arsenal this season, making more assists than any other player in the Premier League. His class was on display against Ukraine; the clinical pinpoint pass to set up Germany’s second goal, a perfect testimony of what the playmaker is capable of. With Thomas Muller still looking to find his form, Ozil has to step up and lead the German attack. It would also not hurt the 27-year-old to convert his chances.
Team News
Germany will be boosted by the return of centre-back Mats Hummels, one of the best in the world in his position. Despite his goal against Ukraine, Shkrodan Mustafi is likely to make way for the new Bayern Munich signing. Low is likely to start World Cup final match-winner Mario Gotze ahead of Mario Gomez or Andre Schurrle in spite of his lacklustre performance on Sunday.
Poland meanwhile will be without goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who will sit out with a thigh injury meaning Lukasz Fabianski will deputise. Coach Adam Nawalka is confident that his number one will return for the final group game against Ukraine.
Predicted Line-up
Germany: Neuer; Howedes, Boateng, Hummels, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Müller, Özil, Draxler; Götze
Poland: Fabianski; Piszczek, Glik, Pazdan, Jedrzejczyk; Blaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Maczynski, Kapustka; Milik; Lewandowski
