Germany will aim to limit Cristiano Ronaldo's chances to shoot from long range when they line up against Portugal on Saturday.
Germany aim to limit Ronaldo's dead ball chances
Germany will aim to limit Cristiano Ronaldo's chances to shoot from long range when they line up against Portugal on Saturday.
Assistant coach Hans-Dieter Flick believes his side must keep the Real Madrid forward out of range of Manuel Neuer's goal and avoid giving away free-kicks around the penalty area.
It is important that the Germans get a result in Lviv, as they also face Holland and Denmark in Group D, which was quickly renamed the 'group of death'.
And Flick says they definitely have a plan to implement at the Lviv Arena.
He said: "We have our own philosophy, which is to aim to win every tackle and commit as few fouls as possible.
Careful
"In the last 20, 25 or 30 yards, we will try to be careful in the tackles.
"Ronaldo has great free-kick quality and so we have got to pay attention.
"When you see Nani and Ronaldo, two extraordinary players, in their attack, then you have got to be very alert when Portugal have the ball.
"It is a game against an opponent who are on a par with us and we have got to give it our best to make a good start to the tournament."
But despite lauding Portugal's attacking talent, Flick was keen to point out that Joachim Low's men have the qualities to stifle the threat.
He continued: "We do have a man in our goal who is absolutely world-class."
Health
Germany posted a clean bill of health ahead of the game, after speculation that Per Mertesacker had picked up a knock.
Flick said: "Per was a doubt yesterday, but fortunately nothing bad happened and it was not as dramatic as we had initially feared.
"Last night, he was given the green light so all our players are available."
