Boateng and Mustafi gear up for Poland

Neighbours on the map, Germany and Poland know each other all too well in footballing terms – they met in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2016, trading home victories, 2-0 in Poland, 3-1 in Germany. The FIFA World Cup winners topped the group, but were only a point clear of the UEFA EURO 2012 co-hosts.

"We know them well from our two qualifiers," said defender Jérôme Boateng, whose acrobatic goal-line clearance against Ukraine helped secure three points in Sunday's tournament opener. "Both games against Poland were not easy."

The linchpin of the German defence, the 27-year-old centre-back knows Poland's main threat very well, since he trains with him week in, week out at Bayern München. Robert Lewandowski is one of the world's foremost No9s and scored 13 in qualifying – more than any other player – yet Boateng warns that Poland are no one-man show.

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"They have several talented attackers, not only Lewandowski," he cautioned. "We know each other very well, but I don't think either of us will be able to use this to their advantage."

For the Ukraine game, Boateng was partnered with Shkodran Mustafi, who headed Germany's first goal of the finals. "There is not much time to enjoy my goal and the three points," the Valencia defender said, already looking ahead to matchday two. "It doesn't matter that we know the Polish players well. It is no secret that they have quality players."

Mustafi's championship started on a high, the loss of Antonio Rüdiger to an eve-of-tournament injury being the 24-year-old's gain. Rüdiger himself was only considered an understudy for Mats Hummels, who was sidelined with a calf problem. With Hummels now available, Mustafi's place is uncertain. "Yes, I am fit," Hummels said after the 2-0 win against Ukraine. "It's looking good – no setbacks. The trainer has to decide whether I will be playing."

Hummels himself praised Mustafi, saying: "He is an outstanding defender and did very well." However, Joachim Löw has already suggested that Hummels is likely to slip back into his place, a move that would return Mustafi to the bench or possibly the right-back slot he occupied in Brazil two years ago.

"I am not doing any calculations – I was never good at maths anyway," Mustafi joked. "I only focus on the things I can influence – which is my training performance. I will be there if the coach and the team need me."