Germany recall Draxler, drop Goetze for Slovakia clash

Lille (France) (AFP) – Germany have recalled Julian Draxler for their Euro 2016 tie against Slovakia in Lille on Sunday, with Mario Goetze dropping out of the side. 

That is the only change to the world champions’ starting line-up for the last-16 tie following their 1-0 win over Northern Ireland on Tuesday that saw them progress as winners of Group C.

Jerome Boateng has shaken off a calf knock and starts in central defence while his Bayern Munich colleague Joshua Kimmich retains his place at right-back. 

Meanwhile, Slovakia coach Jan Kozak has made four changes to his team following the goalless draw with England that allowed them to qualify in third place from Group B. 

Norbert Gyomber, Patrik Hrosovsky, Milan Skriniar and Michal Duris all come into the side as Tomas Hubocan, Viktor Pecovsky, Robert Mak and Ondrej Duda drop out. 

Despite sporadic heavy rain in Lille, the roof will be kept open for the match at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, which also has a brand new pitch to replace the surface that was badly damaged during the group phase. 

The winners of Sunday’s game will face either Italy or defending champions Spain in the quarter-finals in Bordeaux next weekend. Slovakia beat Germany 3-1 in a friendly in Augsburg just four weeks ago.

Starting line-ups in the Euro 2016 last-16 match between Germany and Slovakia at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on Sunday (1600 GMT kick-off):

Germany (4-2-3-1) 

Manuel Neuer (capt); Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Jonas Hector; Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira; Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler; Mario Gomez 

Coach: Joachim Loew (GER)

Slovakia (4-3-3) 

Matus Kozacik; Peter Pekarik, Martin Skrtel (capt), Jan Durica, Norbert Gyomber; Patrik Hrosovsky, Milan Skriniar, Marek Hamsik; Juraj Kucka, Michal Duris, Vladimir Weiss 

Coach: Jan Kozak (SVK) 

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)