Paris (AFP) – Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels returned to Germany coach Joachim Loew’s starting line-up to battle Poland for top spot in Euro 2016 Group C in Paris on Thursday.
Hummels has not played since making his final appearance for Borussia Dortmund against Bayern in the German Cup final a month ago.
However, despite Loew insisting on Wednesday he would take no risks over his fitness, Hummels will be tasked with stopping former Dortmund and now Bayern teammate Robert Lewandowski.
Mario Goetze, Germany’s goalscoring hero in the 2014 World Cup final, also keeps his place up front despite a disappointing display against Ukraine.
Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi, who scored in Germany’s opening 2-0 win over Ukraine, drops out of the side in Loew’s only change.
Poland make two changes from the side which won their first ever match at the European Championships against Northern Ireland 1-0 on Sunday.
Swansea City’s Lukasz Fabianski replaces the injured Wojciech Szczesny in goal, whilst Kamil Grosicki comes into midfield.
Match winner against the Irish, Ajax’s Arkadiusz Milik partners superstar captain Lewandowski up front.
Just a second ever victory for Poland against their bitter rivals will guarantee progression to the last 16.
Germany (4-2-3-1)
Manuel Neuer (capt); Benedikt Hoewedes, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Jonas Hector; Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira; Thomas Müller, Mesut Özil, Julian Draxler; Mario Götze.
Coach: Joachim Loew (GER)
Poland (4-4-1-1)
Lukasz Fabianski; Lukasz Piszczek, Kamil Glik, Michal Pazdan, Artur Jedrzejczyk; Jakub Blaszczykowski, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Krzysztof Maczynski, Kamil Grosicki; Arkadiusz Milik; Robert Lewandowski (captain)
Coach: Adam Nawalka (POL)
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (NED)
