Indeed, it was not until the opening minute of the second half that the first real opening materialised – Arkadiusz Milik somehow failing to connect with a risky Kamil Grosicki cross.
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Die Mannschaft were forced to spend a night in the dressing rooms at France’s national stadium when a series of jihadist attacks across Paris left 130 dead as they faced France in a friendly.
Fellow midfielder Toni Kroos was just looking forward to the next game, against Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Tuesday.
Germany has an impressive record against its Poland, but Poland claimed an important 2-0 home win in qualifying in October 2014 – its first victory over the German squad 19 games.
“That has helped make it easier to learn about the players, we understand very well what they are capable of”, said Nawalka.
That’s how it remained with Robert Lewandowski countering dangerously for Poland after 15 minutes as Germany plugged away in attack to no great effect. Germany lead second-placed Poland because their goal difference is superior by one.
A drab end to the first-half was quickly forgotten by a fast start to the second period. Though both came out of their first matches victorious, it must be said neither emerged as clear favorites to win the group.
Seconds later, Germany broke forward and Mesut Ozil’s curling chipped shot was tipped over by goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
10/3 is a solid price on a draw, though a scored draw does attract as a 4/1 shot given the range of attacking talent on display, and Lewandowski tempts alongside his Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Muller in the anytime scorers’ market at 6/4 and 10/11.
After Milik took a swing and a miss at Grosicki’s cross, Ozil’s strike was tipped over by Fabianski, with both sides pressing for a victor.
With this goalless draw, things in Group C become intense, and Germany, Poland and Northern Ireland are all in fray for a place in next round.
Germany also had to be alert to that counter attack that coach Joachim Löw had warned against in his final press conference prior to this match – against whom pretty much everybody agreed would be their most hard opponent in the group stage.
A positive result for Northern Ireland and for Poland against Ukraine, combined with results in other groups, could conceivably eliminate Germany, but Low will know it could have been worse had Poland’s Arkadiusz Milik not wasted two fine goal scoring chances.
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That is the first 0-0 draw in a EURO finals group game since France v Romania in 2008. Germany will have to find a way to neutralise both Lewandowski and Milik if they are to pose a serious threat to their neighbours.
