Unbeaten Neuer isn’t in mood to let Slovakia past

LESS than a month has passed since Jan Kozak’s Slovaks rattled Germany in a warm-up friendly and memories of that rainy night in Augsburg have followed the teams to northern France.

Slovakia’s 3-1 win prompted serious questions about the depth of Joachim Low’s squad and their readiness to add a European title to their World Cup triumph.

Many concluded Germany were not ready, despite farcical conditions which delayed the start of the second half and a team which was far from full-strength.

But they have improved since then, flexed their tournament know-how and Manuel Neuer dismissed it as a ‘different game in different conditions’ when the subject was raised ahead of today’s rematch in Lille.

Neuer did not play in Augsburg. Goalkeeping duties were shared by Bernd Leno and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and concerns about defensive frailties have been eased since his return.

Germany have not leaked a goal in four games, a sequence which started with a 2-0 win in a warm-up friendly against Hungary.

In three Group C games, the world champions appeared vulnerable. Poland and Ukraine created chances they ought to have taken, but the Germans are the only team yet to concede at Euro 2016. ‘It’s great,’ said Neuer. ‘As a team, we have defended very well. We have invested a lot to be this solid.’

Germany’s record of six consecutive clean sheets has survived for 50 years. ‘That’s not an added motivation,’ said Neuer. ‘We simply want to play a successful European Championship.’

Central defender Jerome Boateng returned to full training yesterday after problems with a calf muscle, and hopes to be fit. His partnership at the back with Mats Hummels is crucial.

Up front, where Low has tried various options without satisfaction, Gomez may be given another chance after his goal against Northern Ireland. Slovakia’s Dusan Svento and Robert Mak are doubtful. Defender Peter Pekarik, who had his nose broken by England’s Ryan Bertrand on his last outing, will play in a mask.

‘The result in Augsburg was fantastic for us,’ said Pekarik, who plays for Hertha Berlin. ‘To get such a fantastic result against the world champions was a great boost for our confidence and provides great motivation.

‘To play them again within a few weeks is a challenge. We will do our best to cause another upset. I believe if we have the same heart and determination we put into the group matches, we can cause them trouble.’

Slovakia are planning for another strong defensive performance like the one against England and hope to damage Germany on the break with the likes of Mak, Vladimir Weiss and Marek Hamsik.

‘We must have a solid defence because we cannot get a good result without that,’ said Kozak. ‘Germany are the best tournament side. They bring their best form to the tournaments.

‘They have tested various things and they have an established way of playing. They know how to do it.’

Kozak can also draw encouragement from history. It is 40 years since Czechoslovakia beat West Germany on penalties to win the Euros in 1976.

Nine of 13 players who appeared in the final were Slovakian, although Antonin Panenka, hero of the shoot-out, was a Czech.

Germany have not lost a competitive game against the Slovaks since they separated from the Czechs.

A new pitch has been laid in Lille since Ireland beat Italy at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday.

‘It is amazing what you can do in such a short space of time,’ said Kozak. ‘I believe it will be in excellent condition.’