Joachim Loew, head coach of Germany talks to his players prior to a team training session.
Germany have promised that
their attack will pack a bigger punch when they face Northern Ireland on
Tuesday after struggling up front in their first two Euro 2016 matches.
The Germans will definitely go through to the tournament's last 16
with a win or a draw in their final Group C game but they will need to
be more clinical in front of goal, having scored just twice in their two
matches so far.
"In attack we have not had the goal success we want," said attacking
midfielder Thomas Mueller, who is fresh from his most prolific scoring
season at Bayern Munich with 20 league goals.
"From forwards that is what is expected and we are measured by our goal scoring abilities."
Neither goal in the 2-0 opening win over Ukraine came from a forward
with central defender Shkodran Mustafi and holding midfielder Bastian
Schweinsteiger on target.
They followed that up with a goalless draw against Poland.
Coach Joachim Loew must decide whether to stick with misfiring
attacking midfielder Mario Goetze up front or use his only out-and-out
striker Mario Gomez, top scorer in the Turkish league last season, or
even deploy winger Andre Schuerrle through the middle.
"Of course we want to have more punch in attack. Both in training and
in the analysis we are looking for some solutions but we are in a good
position," Goetze said.
Germany are expected to advance comfortably from their group but
Mueller warned fans they were unlikely to see a high-scoring affair
against the Northern Irish.
"I don't expect it to be any goal bonanza," he said. "We have to be
realistic. Northern Ireland will be thinking about defending until the
final minute.
"They will be with many players around the box so it does not matter
what skills you have with the ball. It just will not be a walk in the
park."
The Northern Irish are brimming with confidence after beating Ukraine
2-0 to notch their first win in a major tournament in 34 years,
following a defeat by Poland in their opener.
They may not be able to match their upcoming opponents for class but
they have so far demonstrated their credentials for concealing
weaknesses and maximising their strengths.
Goals from Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn against Ukraine ended
their long wait for a tournament victory that stretched back to the 1982
World Cup, when Gerry Armstrong's low finish famously downed hosts
Spain.
"We know what Germany are all about, and they have some of the best
players in the world," said Northern Ireland midfielder Jamie Ward. "We
respect them, but do not fear them.
"Our game is all about working hard and not giving people time on the
ball. That might be different to what Germany have experienced before."
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