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Centurion Podolski must improve in attack

"It is clear that people expect more from me in attack. I expect more from me as well," said Podolski, who has scored 43 goals for Germany.

"But in the first two games my job was to secure the back. It was a tactical order by the coach which I fulfilled."

"There is still room for improvement in his offensive game," he said, adding that Podolski's defensive work in the last two games had been vital for the team's success.

"We obviously want to leave our mark on the offence as well but the teams we have played so far were very attacking teams and we had to put the emphasis on the defence."

Flick declined to reveal whether Podolski's weak showing in attack at the tournament would cost him his place in the team.

POLDI'S CENTURY

"He will most certainly reach 100 caps. Whether that will happen at the next game remains to be seen," said Flick.

Denmark, who are also on three points, would qualify for the last eight if they beat Germany, whatever the score, if it becomes a three-team head-to-head 'mini-league' with Portugal.

"Denmark have a very good coach and the team interprets their system well," said Flick.

"They quickly shift from a compact defence to counter [attack] and they do not seem to feel the pressure other teams feel. So we expect this to be a piece of very hard work."