18 June,2016 08:14 AM IST | | AFP
Germany coach Joachim Loew blasts his flat-footed attackers after the world champions were frustrated 0-0 by Poland
Both sides remain on course to reach the last 16 with four points from their opening two games despite disappointing result in Paris on Thursday night.
Joachim Loew
"In the attack today we could not create too many chances. Our game in the last third wasn't fast enough," said Loew.
"There were nine or 10 Polish players behind the ball because we didn't play the ball quickly enough."
Poland's Kamil Glik heads the ball away from Germany's Thomas Mueller (left) during their Euro Group C clash on Thursday. Pic/AFP
Strong defense
Despite the stalemate, Loew defended his decision to start the misfiring Mario Goetze over his only other obvious striking option in Mario Gomez. "Both sides were very strong defensively," he added. "High balls in the penalty area that is what the Polish want. That is why for me the strategy was clear to put Goetze in from the start to play the ball on the ground, but today we couldn't impose our game style." In a game of few chances, Poland's star striker Robert Lewandowski was well-marshalled by Bayern Munich teammates Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng - with Boateng winning man-of-the-match for his outstanding display. Poland coach Adam Nawalka praised his star man's teamwork despite Lewandowski not getting on the scoresheet for a second consecutive match. Nawalka believes Lewandowski's presence is opening up more opportunities for strike partner Arkadiusz Milik.
