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Group C is an epic match-up between world champions Germany and historic rivals Poland at France’s home of football, the Stade de France. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5am (AEST).
The saying goes that familiarity breeds contempt, yet no one told to Germany or Poland.
Only coincidence could draw the two nations, who hold historic and cultural ties, together in the same group, after being in the same qualification group.
Last night at the Euros:
» England vs Wales
» Ukraine vs Northern Ireland
This is the fourth meeting in two years between the two sides. The stakes are raised, but in the context of both teams’ Matchday 1 victories, a negative result will likely only lower bragging rights.
Having dispensed of Ukraine and Northern Ireland respectively, both teams can view victory as a ticket to the round of 16 before Matchday 3 kicks off.
The win against Ukraine was far from vintage Germany, but then again, it doesn’t need to be at such early stages. During periods when Ukraine were dominant, it was evident Germany were leaving something in reserve, as improvement will surely follow.
The key area is up front, where Mario Gotze was too often left isolated or one-dimensional to act as a lone striker. Coach Joachim Low may persist with the Bayern forward, but could use either the addition of Mario Gomez, or have the influential Thomas Muller play in a more central area.
Germany should line up with the same 4-2-3-1 formation, albeit the fitness of Mats Hummels will be a key talking point, given their sometimes shaky defence shows they can be exploited. The return of Hummels will restore the spine of the team that won the World Cup.
For Poland, there is no greater pleasure than beating Germany. While the focus will be on captain Robert Lewandowski, given his insider knowledge of his Bayern-heavy opponents, the win against Northern Ireland came courtesy of fellow forward Arkadiusz Milik’s 51st-minute strike.
Coach Adam Nawalka will likely retain the same 4-4-2 formation that saw off Northern Ireland, and while both Lewandowski and Milik will be constant threats against the German defence, the work of midfielders Bartosz Kaputska and Grzegorz Krychowiak will likely determine Poland’s output, aiming to keep Muller quiet.
Cutting off Germany’s supply lines will be critical to Poland’s hopes, and setting them on counterattacks, where Lewandowski can expose the German defence and Manuel Neuer.
Expect a terse affair that could go either way – Germany have greater improvement in them, but if their performance against Ukraine is anything to set from, then Poland could score a win against their arch-rivals.
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