However, the “dominant” outfit won only eight of those games; four more ended in draws while Italy (2-0 v Belgium), Slovakia (2-1 v Russia) and Northern Ireland (2-0 v Ukraine) all prevailed despite seeing less of the ball.
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The Bayern Munich forward then saw his club colleague Boateng block a shot destined for the goal.
Goetze received a second consecutive start despite a below-par performance in the opening game and again failed to deliver, the attacking midfielder never settling in the role of striker.
Here is Germany’s confirmed starting XI.
After 21 matches, only one team, Spain, have managed to score three goals in one game.
Midway through the second half Low sacrificed Julian Draxler and Mario Gotze for the more direct options provided by Mario Gomez and Andre Schurrle in his pursuit of victory.
“I’m very happy with the team, in particular their discipline and tactical awareness”.
And Loew does not believe the trend will continue into the knockout stage as he fancies the traditional giants of European football to come good.
One of the best strikers on the planet, the world champions… on paper, Germany vs Poland should have been a good watch.
“When you play against a team like Germany at such a high level, it’s satisfying for us to see how we have developed”.
The nature of the group stage at any tournament is that numerous games feel like the meetings of non-equals with one side doing all the attacking, the other doing all the defending.
Poland, however, may be the more disappointed of the two teams, having created the clearest chances.
“It was very important for us in terms of building our side, it was an important step in our progression to play better and better”, said Nawalka.
“He is working for the team, doing tremendous work and is taking a lot of attention from the defenders”.
“In qualification they were a strong fighting side, extremely strong in challenges, like you expect the British and the Irish to be”, Loew said.
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Loew, meanwhile, insisted he will take no risks if Mats Hummels is not fit enough to make his return after a month out as his stand-in Shkodran Mustafi scored as they opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Ukraine. They can be engaging, particularly if, as what happened when Iceland drew with Portugal or Northern Ireland beat Ukraine, David tweaks Goliath’s nose.
