As Northern Ireland prepare for their final Euro 2016 group game against world champions Germany on Tuesday, here are the permutations for what can still happen in Group C.
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Mario Goetze, who has been deployed as a “false nine”, is still to find the net, while playmaker Mesut Ozil has been criticised by former Germany midfielder Mehmet Scholl, but Mueller cites the defensive tactics his team have faced as a mitigating factor.
“From forwards that is what is expected and we are measured by our goal scoring abilities”.
‘Germany have got great players throughout.
“You have rarely been impressed with our results, apart from the 7-1 against Brazil (in the World Cup semi-finals)”, he told reporters.
“Why are we playing better in defence than before?”
“I am happy that a video clip of me doing something for my son has had this effect on the Northern Ireland team and the fans at this time”. I was trying to say to the bench “don’t take me off, take Stuart off, he’s struggling”.
The Marseille clash will be the the first meeting in a major tournament between the sides.
“We want to beat Northern Ireland – they have unbelievable fighting spirit & energy”.
Northern Ireland are now third and, depending on how they do against Germany and how Poland get on against Ukraine, could finish as high as first or, alternatively, fail to be named as one of the best third-placed teams.
Ward paid his respect to Germany, “They are the best team in the world and probably will not worry about us too much”. “We have a realistic prize at the end of the Germany game and that’s immensely pleasing”.
The Team tried to mount a comeback late in the game, controlling the ball and attacking at every opportunity, but their attempts were all quelled especially after the Irishmen scored again in injury time to double the lead, courtesy of an individual move by midfielder Niall McGinn.
He believes this may unsettle Germany, knowing it “might be different to what Germany have experienced before”. When we came into the tournament, we knew we were in as tough a group as there is, and we wanted something to play for in the last game. “Our strength is pressing and making life hard for our opponents”.
A young boy who burst into tears as he received a Euro 2016 ticket for his birthday has received a special phone call from the Northern Ireland players.
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“When you’re on the pitch, it doesn’t matter”, the 25-year-old said.
