Agence France-Presse
Paris, June 17: Poland held uninspired Germany to the first 0-0 draw of Euro 2016 Thursday as the World Champions struggled to break down their dogged opponents, leaving both sides satisfied with a point in the end.
The result means the pair, who won their opening games, need a point in their final Group C matches against Ukraine and Northern Ireland respectively Tuesday to guarantee reaching the last 16.
Ukraine, who are yet to get a point, cannot progress and will finish bottom of the section after their 0-2 defeat against Northern Ireland in an earlier game of the night.
Germany were playing their first game at the Stade de France since the deadly November attacks in Paris when they also failed to score in a 0-2 defeat by the hosts.
They came out zipping the ball around early on, poking and prodding at the Poles but, with focal point Mario Goetze consistently dropping off, they lacked conviction in the final third and the Polish defence looked more than comfortable.
“We did not win one-on-ones. We did not have movement and we should be happy with the draw,” man of the match Jerome Boateng said. “We were good defensively, but in attack there was a lot missing. We have to be more aggressive.”
Boateng looked solid alongside his usual central defensive partner Mats Hummels, who coach Joachim Loew rushed back into the starting line-up after the team’s unconvincing display at the back in their opening 2-0 win against Ukraine.
Germany and neighbouring Poland, who last met at a European Championship in a feisty game in 2008, failed to conjure a shot on target in the first half in front of a packed and boisterous crowd.
The only notable chance fell to Goetze, who drifted a header over the bar in the fourth minute, although the attacking midfielder’s lack of killer instinct throughout the game highlighted his side’s deficiencies.
The second period though was faster. The Poles had an early opening in session, but after that it was German traffic all the way. However, Polish custodian Lukasz Fabianski stood like a rock under the bar. He first spoilt a Goetze attempt and then spectacularly tipped over an effort by Mesut Ozil in the 69th minute. Ozil then turned provider for substitute Andre Schuerrle, but the German again found Fabianski in the way.
