Germany will be desperate to bounce back from their opening day defeat to France when they take on Group F leaders Portugal, as they bid to qualify for the knockout round of the European Championship for the fourth time in succession.
Having won the tournament in 1996, the Germans then failed to make it out of the group stage in 2000 and 2004.
The four-time World Cup winners finished as runners-up at Euro 2008 before making the semi-finals in 2012 and 2016, though, and it would not be a surprise to see them advance deep into this competition despite their defeat to France.
it was a disappointing performance from Joachim Low’s side against the French as they struggled to create opportunities, and it will be fascinating to see whether there are any changes for this clash with Portugal.
The reigning European champions, Portugal, will head into Saturday’s clash knowing that a win would book their spot in the last-16 stage of the competition, while they would confirm a position in the top two if they triumph and Hungary do not overcome France in Group F’s other contest on the same night.
They are now on a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but they have lost each of their last four international fixtures with Germany, including a 4-0 defeat when the two teams last locked horns at the 2014 World Cup.
Concerning injuries, Nuno Mendes is carrying a slight thigh problem and had to train away from the main group on Thursday, but Portugal do not have any other injury concerns heading into this match.
As for Germany, Matthias Ginter had emerged as a doubt after being forced off in the latter stages of the clash with France, but the centre-back is expected to be fit to start once again.
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