Group C will be decided on Tuesday as Germany face minnows Northern Ireland while Poland square off against Ukraine.
Germany currently top the group ahead of Poland by virtue of goal difference with Joachim Low’s side eager to turn in a strong performance and cement first place with a win.
Both sides will be at full strength for the clash, but Germany may be contemplating changes to their line-up as they lacked the killer instinct during their stalemate against Poland last time out.
Germany have historically had the better of Northern Ireland having beaten them eight times and lost just twice in 14 meetings. The most recent meetings between the side was back in 2005, when Germany swept tthem aside 4-1.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill is preparing his side for the toughest game of their campaign knowing that a point might be good enough to see them into the next round.
‘This is as tough a game as we’ll get at any point in the tournament, but the prize is massive – the potential to go to the Round of 16. If we can take something from the game – three points or one – we would be in a very strong position. [We must] approach the game in a similar fashion as we did against Ukraine.’ said O’Neill.
Thomas Schneider, the Germany assistant coach, says his side will respect their opposition despite the gulf in class as they look to top their group. ‘We have always stated that we want to finish top of our group, so whether or not our place in the Last 16 is confirmed [on Monday], it will have no impact on our line-up.We respect our opposition.’ Schneider added.
The match will be played at Parc des Princes, Paris. The game gets underway at 18:00.
The second Group C game on Tuesday sees Poland take on Ukraine. Poland still have hopes of qualifying in top position from the group but need to better the German’s result, or outscore them by two or more goals should the Germans win.
Poland have not beaten Ukraine in the last five meetings between the sides, including two Ukraine victories in 2014 World Cup qualifying. Poland will be without the injured Wojciech Szczęsny for the tie, while Ukraine are fully fit.
Ukraine coach Mykhailo Fomenko wants his side to bow out on a high after failing in their previous two outings.
‘My players understand they have one more game to go in such a huge tournament and they’ll do everything to correct the mistakes they’ve made in previous matches. They will try to play as they should have done.’ said Fomenko.
Poland’s Adam Nawałka is placing his sole focus on beating Ukraine and not looking at the possible permutations of the group. ‘It’s important that everyone is ready and I can rely on them,’ said Nawalka ahead of the match.
‘The decision [on the line-up] is always made after the final training session, and that will be the same tonight. I don’t want to talk about where we want to finish; it’s the three points that matter.’
The match will be played at the Stade Velodrome, Marseille.
