To silence the critics, Germany needs to get its attack going.
The team's misfiring forwards have yet to score at the European Championship in games against Ukraine and Poland, and coach Joachim loew has brushed off suggestions of a lack of leadership in his side. The World Cup champions, who face Northern Ireland on Tuesday in Group C, needed defender Shkodran Mustafi to break the deadlock against Ukraine before midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger sealed the 2-0 win on a break in injury time.
loew then said his players created "hardly any chances" in the following 0-0 draw against Poland.
Defensive frailties were exposed in the first game, but now the focus is on attack with Mario Goetze, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil and Julian Draxler all scoreless so far. Also, Mario Gomez has yet to start a match, while lukas Podolski has yet to even make an appearance.
The lack of goals is puzzling given the wealth of talent at loew's disposal. Mueller, strangely, has yet to score in seven games over two European Championships despite 32 goals in 73 games for Germany, including 12 goals in European qualifying.
Modric doubtful
SAINT-MARTIN-DE-RE: Croatia may be without one of its best players for its toughest match at the European Championship.
luka Modric is nursing a muscle injury and is doubtful to play in the decisive Group D match against defending champion Spain on Tuesday. Spain has already advanced to the round of 16, but Croatia needs at least a draw to secure second place without depending on other results.