Joachim Loew does not want to change is his team's affinity for winning, as this evening's Euro 2016 schedule features a highly anticipated clash between Germany and Poland. Both squads prevailed in their opening matches on Sunday, and the reigning World Cup champions are looking for another victory in the Parisian suburbs, to provide some separation at the top of Group C.
Germany opened Euro 2016 with a 2-NIL win over Ukraine, and will look to remain undefeated in Thursday's contest against Poland at the Stade de France. These two teams split a pair of games during qualifying last year, only to both end up in Group C in the main draw. This encounter also marks Die Mannschaft's first trip back to Paris since November's friendly against Les Bleus that coincided with a night of deadly terrorist attacks, but the squad has no qualms about the security situation ahead of this match.
"I came on the bus, and of course I thought about it and remembered some things, but it has not been an issue. Nobody felt unsafe. Due to us concentrating, and focusing on this match, I don't think it is necessary to address this issue at the moment. I feel safe and I'm looking forward to the game," said Joachim Loew Germany coach.
Poland might have a few reasons to worry on the pitch, as starting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny suffered a thigh injury during Sunday's 1-NIL victory versus Northern Ireland, and won't be available for this contest. That means the side will turn to either Lukasz Fabianski or Artur Boruc between the pipes, but the rest of the line-up plans to do as much as possible to ease the pressure on whoever steps in.
"What is giving us a lot of confidence is that we were able to control the last game, that we could keep the tempo of the match, and we played with a high level of confidence. While respecting the quality of Germany, we can still control the game. We have to appreciate this is a difficult opponent, but we have our own advantages," said Jakub Blaszczykowski Poland midfielder.
One of the biggest advantages the Poles have is captain Robert Lewandowski, who has been the Bundesliga's top scorer in two of the last three seasons, and may be going up against a less than 100 percent Mats Hummels for a good portion of this game. The German defender is expected to be in the starting 11, but if he's not fully fit, goalie Manuel Neuer and his fellow World Cup champions could be in for a long evening.
In addition to Die Mannschaft's clash with Poland, the other encounter in Pool C will pit Ukraine against Northern Ireland in Lyon, as those two outfits look to escape the cellar. And it'll be an all-British blowout in Lens, with England battling Wales in a match for the top spot in Group B.
