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Germany coach Joachim Low has revealed his decision to start without a recognised striker in the 0-0 draw with Poland in Paris was inspired by their opponents' aerial strength. Low named Mario Gomez among his substitutes, instead using Mario Gotze as a "false nine," as his side's inability to score left their hopes of winning Group C at Euro 2016 in the balance. They remain top with four points, leading Poland only because their goal difference is superior by one, and next face Northern Ireland on Tuesday. A positive result for Northern Ireland and for Poland against Ukraine, combined with results in other groups, could conceivably eliminate Germany, but Low will know it could have been worse had Poland's Arkadiusz Milik not wasted two fine goal scoring chances. "I did not start Gomez because the Polish central defence is strong in the air, so I wanted low passing with Gotze," said Low -- who in Germany's two games has seen his side dominate possession without truly convincing. "Group stage matches are attrition battles. I expect more openings in the knockout stages. "I was quite pleased with our defence but our attack did not really create many chances. But neither did they. "Our game in the last third wasn't fast enough. We hesitated and by the time we got there suddenly there were 10 men behind the ball. "Crosses and balls into the box, that's what Poland want because that's where their strength lies. "Bringing Gotze in made sense but we simply couldn't impose ourselves on the game. We needed to attack better. "Results in France have been close, with many goals conceded right at the end. For teams here for the first time this is the tournament of their lives. They fight to the end, defend with 10 players and wait for their chances." But Germany defender Jerome Boateng said his side must improve a lot if they if they want to challenge for the title. "We did not win any one-on-one situations in attack, we were lacking mobility," he told ZDF. "We have to shoot sometimes. We play well up to the final third, but then we are not able to surpass our opponent and are not dangerous. "We have to improve, or else we won't get far."
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