Reigning World Champions Germany will lock horns against Slovakia at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy near Lille in a round of 16 clash of the UEFA Euro 2016. Die Mannschaft qualified for the knockout stage as the best-placed team in Group C, having finished level on points with Poland but were ahead virtue of a better goal difference. Slovakia on the other hand, qualified as one of the four best placed third place teams, having finished behind Wales and England in Group B.
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Joachim Low’s side are the only remaining team in the tournament to have not conceded a single goal. Die Mannschaft recorded comfortable victories against Ukraine and Northern Ireland, but have failed to dazzle in a manner expected of them. They were also held to a goalless draw against a resilient Polish defence and Low would be hoping that his team hit top gear as we enter the business end of the tournament.
Repre were beaten in the opening game against Wales, but came back strong after the early setback to record a 2-1 win over Russia, before earning a goalless draw against England in their last game of the group stage to ensure passage to the knockouts. Jan Kozak's side will be looking to cause an upset against the Germans and secure a berth in the quarter-final, where the winner of this tie will face the winner of tomorrow’s game against Italy and Spain.
Speaking ahead of the match, Low warned his side to be wary of the threat possessed by the Slovaks and also recollected their 3-1 loss against the same opposition in a friendly just before the commencement of the Euros.
He said: “Slovakia are a different opponent to Northern Ireland. I think they're a lot stronger. We were beaten by them at the end of May so we're aware they have great quality and are good defensively. We won't have as much space as we did against Northern Ireland and that's why I'm considering one or two changes. I think we'll cope better than England did in the group stage.”
Kozak meanwhile has tried to invigorate his side ahead of the crunch clash and has also hinted at a potential weakness of the world champions, which Slovenskí sokoli would be looking to exploit.
He said: “Germany is a great challenge for us. However, I don't think the pressure Germany put us under will be as intense as England did in our last game. If we want to be successful again, we need to play as a team. Yes, they are a strong side, but every opponent has weaknesses. We will try to exploit those.
They are world champions and a top-quality team. But we have prepared thoroughly and have already been involved in difficult matches during qualifying. We won against Spain, a victory which helped us get here.
Live Stream and Kick-off time
The match will be live from 21:30 IST (Sunday), 17:00 BST (Sunday). Watch live streaming of Germany vs Slovakia on SonyLIV. Follow Germany vs Slovakia , Euro 2016 Live Score and Commentary with Sportskeeda. The match will be telecasted live on Sony Six and Sony Six HD in India, Fox Sports in the USA and Premier Sports in the UK. The match will be played at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy near Lille.
Team News
German defender Jerome Boateng, who suffered a calf injury in the win against Northern Ireland, has recovered and is expected to start alongside Mats Hummels. Low has also hinted that captain Bastian Schweinsteiger could be handed his first start of the tournament, having built up his fitness as the tournament progressed.
Low said: “[Boateng] took part in training and had no complaints so we don't expect there to be any problems. [Bastian Schweinsteiger] has been injured for quite a long time and has not started since January so it was obvious he wouldn't be ready for 90 minutes from the start here. But he's fitter now and finding his rhythm so he'll play a decisive role for us in this tournament.”
Striker Mario Gomez, who started in the game against Northern Ireland, is expected to retain his place in the starting eleven.
Slovakia are sweating over the fitness of midfielder Robert Mak and defender Dusan Svento, who have been struggling with muscle injuries. Full-back Peter Pekarik also took a heavy blow to his nose in the game against England, but is expected to retain his place. However, Durica, Hrošovský, Kucka, Mak, Pecovský, Škrtel and Weiss are all just a booking away from missing a potential quarter-final clash against Italy or Spain.
Probable Line-Ups
Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector; Kroos, Khedira; Müller, Özil, Götze; Gomez.
Slovakia: Kozáik; Pekarík, Škrtel, urica, Huboan; Peovský; Mak, Kucka, Hamšík, Weiss; Duda.
Form guide (Most recent first)
Germany: WDWWL
The Germans have won three of their last five games, but their only defeat have come against Slovakia, when they lost 3-1 in a friendly in May.
Slovakia: DWLDW
Slovenskí sokoli have won two of their last five games with the wins coming in matches against Germany and Russia. Slovakia have lost just one in the same period, their 2-1 loss to Wales in the tournament opener.
Head to Head record
Germany and Slovakia have faced each other 10 times until now, with Die Mannschaft winning seven of those encounters and the Slovaks winning the remaining three. The two sides have never contested a draw.
Their only competitive meeting before today’s game came in the qualifying for Euro 2008, when Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger found the back of the net in the 4-1 win in Bratislava.
Match Prediction
Germany have failed to reach their potential on the football field so far in the tournament and will be looking to make a statement tonight ahead of a potential crunch game against Italy or holders Spain in the quarter-final. However, Slovakia are more than capable of causing an upset and a win for Kozak's side cannot be ruled out. We predict a 3-1 win for Germany.
