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. Even after the first goal, Ukraine did not change the strategy and continued to organize attacks on the flanks, which caused them three points and the chance to go to the next round. The Northern Irish are guaranteed of at least third place and would secure qualification with a victory over Germany at the Parc des Princes. “We will win the group and then, I believe, we’ll be playing in Lille again for the round of 16”, the 56-year-old coach said. From what they proved in their previous games, Germany should not take them lightly as the team is totally capable of having a trick or two up their sleeves.
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“The great delivery that Olly (Oliver Norwood) put in for G (Gareth McAuley), and then for me to come on and score, all in all it was an outstanding performance – clean sheet and the win”.
Lewandowski actually came closest to scoring a goal during the contest, but his other Bayern teammate, defender Jerome Boateng, made denied him near the goal post. Because this Germany team, for all of their accomplishments, do have an intensity issue, a cutting edge issue, as if they can not quite reach the top level they need against resolute opponents.
“They will be with many players around the box so it does not matter what skills you have with the ball. The most pleasing thing is that was a Northern Ireland performance out there”.
When Evans and his colleagues look across the tunnel at the Parc des Princes they will see some of the game’s most decorated and renowned players, yet the Northern Ireland midfielder insists their standing within the game can not be considered.
“We want to win, we will win and we will top the group”, he said. “We have to take it as it is and try to make the best out of it”.
Ukraine coach Mykhailo Fomenko said his players were not psychologically ready for the match against Northern Ireland. “Obviously we would like to create more opportunities and we will work on it, look for solutions”.
The star player also promised to send them a couple of signed shirts.
Ward concluded, by saying: “We know we will not dominate possession – our strength is pressing and making life hard for our opponents”.
Indeed, the enormity of the task facing Northern Ireland is reflected by bet365’s 12/1 (13.0) quote for the underdogs to claim a famous victory, while the odds compilers offer 9/2 (5.50) that the Germans are forced to settle for a share of the spoils for a second successive match.
However, the emotional return did not seem to affect Joachim Loew’s side. The Barcelona player said that the favourite game he has watched away from his own team was the 2-0 win for Italy over Belgium.
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“We always scored many goals. I’m sorry…that they would win it”, said the Champions League winning ‘keeper apologizing with a smile to this member of the media from Ireland!
