Germany's Boateng says Poland not only about Lewandowski

Germany defender Jerome Boateng warned that the world football champions will have to be fully focused in their second game on Thursday in Euro 2016 against lowly-ranked Poland, who do not depend only on star striker Robert Lewandowski.

The two countries meet at the Stade de France here in what will be their second Euro 2016 group game on Thursday. Both come into the match with a win under their belts, with Germany beating Ukraine 2-0 and Poland seeing off Northern Ireland 1-0.

Whoever wins will take a giant step towards winning group C and, although Germany are favourites, Poland beat them during the qualifying campaign.

The defender, in a press conference on Tuesday stressed the importance of not taking lowly-ranked Poland lightly.

"Poland are a good opponent. They have a lot of good attacking players, not only Lewandowski," Boateng was quoted as saying by espn.in.

Boateng shares a dressing room with Lewandowski at Bayern Munich and both know each other well, which in the German player's opinion does not give an advantage to either of them.

"We (he and Lewandowski) play each other, we want the best for our countries, and we'll certainly clash on the pitch at some point.

"But whatever happens, it'll all be fine after the match."

Meanwhile, Poland-born German attacking midfielder Lukas Podolski praised the progress made by the former in recent years.

He said: "There are several big talents, and they want to at least reach the knockout stages.

"They are on a good path and could even make it past the last 16. They are the most dangerous opponent in our group. I hope we win the group, and Poland finish second."

--IANS

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