German defender Boateng ready for Slovakia

Germany central defender Jerome Boateng returned to training on Saturday after overcoming a muscle injury and appeared fit for Sunday’s Euro 2016 round of 16 clash against Slovakia.

Boateng picked up a calf muscle injury towards the end of its 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland this week and his participation on Sunday was in doubt

He did not train with the team on Friday, undergoing an individual session involving cycling and jogging, and seemed fit on Saturday, as Germany prepares for its departure to Lille later in the day.

The 27-year-old, who has resumed his World-Cup winning partnership in central defence with Mats Hummels, has helped the world champions keep a clean sheet in all three of their group stage matches in the tournament so far.

The central defender sustained the injury in their final group win over Northern Ireland, with coach Joachim Loew forced to wait until the eve of Sunday’s game in Lille to find out if he can play.

Boateng has been crucial for the German defence which has yet to concede a goal in this tournament. He had renewed his World Cup-winning partnership in the central defence with Mats Hummels, with both players only recently back from injury.

They will need all the defensive prowess they can muster if they are not to replicate the mistakes that led to their 3-1 loss to the Slovaks in their friendly international on a rain-drenched pitch in May.

A new pitch has been laid in Lille after heavy rain and frequent play had damaged it irreparably. Germany, who won the tournament in 1972, 1980 and 1996, are prepared for the game, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said.

“We have to keep a clean sheet,” Neuer told reporters on Friday. “We know that we can concede goals as well. But so far we have defended well and in knockout games we want to keep a clean sheet.”

Slovakia’s Marek Hamsik and Vladimir Weiss will have their work cut out against the solid German backline, with full backs Jonas Hector and Joshua Kimmich in fine form.

Hamsik has been in equally stellar form, drilling in one goal and setting up another in their 2-1 victory over Russia in the group.

He had scored a similarly spectacular long-range effort against the Germans in their friendly victory last month but it is unlikely the world champions will give him so much space again.

“You just have to look at a Youtube video with his goals,” said Neuer of Hamsik. “It will be important that our holding midfielders stop him early and he does not get a chance to shoot.”

Slovakia’s much bigger task, however, will be to somehow slow down their opponents’ quick passing game that on a good day can rip any defensive plan to shreds.

Despite having yet to find their perfect mix in attack, Germany has more than double the efforts on goal than its opponents in the entire tournament.

With average possession of 65 per cent and passing accuracy at a staggering 91 per cent, Germany are expected to maintain its pressure throughout the game as it look for a last eight spot.

Belgium yet to prove credentials

The Euro 2016 draw has opened up for Belgium, but Marc Wilmots’ side are still to confirm its title credentials before their round of 16 match against undefeated Hungary on Sunday.

Belgium finished second in Group E after an opening defeat by Italy, but Wilmots refuses to see it as a blessing in disguise, even if the draw means it will avoid Spain, Germany, France, England and the Italians until the final.

Concerned about the pressure on his team, the coach hinted that he would rather face one of the heavyweights.

“These are games in which you have nothing to lose,” he told reporters. “Matches like we played against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup are nicer.

“In this Euro there are no easy games, no small teams,” he added. “They criticised us for losing to Wales [during qualification] and look where they are now.”

Belgium’s prospects have improved with the draw — bookmaker William Hill has slash their championship odds from 11/1 to 11/2 — but Wilmots is yet to prove he can make the most of his talented squad.

They were outworked and outthought against Italy, but romped to victory against Ireland in perhaps the best performance yet by this collection of talented players.

Despite Wilmots’ bullish response to critics after this match, hopes Belgium had turned the corner were deflated when they again lacked fluency against Sweden.

Wilmots insisted Belgium had grown since its opener, but conceded that there was still much to improve.

Euro 2016 joint top scorers Hungary may have a taste for blood after giving Portugal an almighty scare in a 3-3 draw on Wednesday, but they will face a sterner test from a Belgium defence eyeing a third straight clean sheet.

That thrilling game also exposed Hungary’s defensive deficiencies and they should provide Belgium with ample opportunity to rediscover the attacking coherency they demonstrated against Ireland.

For that match, the introduction of Mousa Dembele was decisive in providing midfield mobility that had previously been lacking, although an ankle knock picked up in that match may mean Radja Nainggolan again partners Axel Witsel.

Hungary coach Bernd Storck has demonstrated an admirable tactical flexibility, giving all of his 20 outfield players some action and has hinted at more changes for Sunday’s match.

Adam Lang will likely continue at right back with Attila Fiola injured and attacking midfielder Zoltan Gera should return after being injured against Portugal.

Handball gives Irish extra motivation

Thierry Henry’s handball sent such shockwaves that barely anyone remembers it was actually William Gallas who scored the infamous goal France that ruined Ireland’s chances of a World Cup appearance more than six years ago.

On Sunday, Les Bleus face the Irish in Lyon in a Euro 2016 last-16 clash in which the host nation will start as heavy favourites.

In the stands, there is little doubt the Irish fans, who are enjoying growing popularity in France thanks to their good-natured presence in the streets across the country, will outsing 

the local supporters.

Qualification for a quarter-final against Iceland or England, however, will be decided on the field, where the Irish will take extra motivation from the drama at the Stade de France in 2009.

“It is absolutely [extra motivation], but we’ve got all the motivation in the world here regardless of that, we’ve got a side that are prepared and actually love playing for their country and that’s very, very important. It’s a driving force,” Ireland manager Martin O’Neill told reporters.

His assistant Roy Keane believes the team have the qualities to trouble the French, who have been remarkably quiet on the Henry incident.

“It’s massive game against France who will be red-hot favourites,” he said, adding that Ireland’s goal was to create another bit of history.

France, who have yet to play a full match at its best in the tournament, has only conceded one goal in three matches, a penalty, but the back four have not been really tested.