SOUNDBITE: (German) Joachim Loew, Germany coach:

(Asked about criticism by Michael Ballack (former German Captain) currently working for ESPN)

"We actually had this kind of discussion already back in 2014. This morning I have read that there is a discussion about leaders. This somehow brings a smile to my face. In 2014 it was said that we don't have leaders and then we became World Champions and then all these people like Basti (Bastian Schweinsteiger), (Mats) Hummels, (Jerome) Boateng, (Thomas) Mueller, Manuel Neuer were those great leaders in the team. Now we are playing a 0-0 draw once at a tournament and this discussion comes again. So, speaking very honestly, everything is said by this. I personally - if I were an outside person - I would remain very calm with regard to this, because these players that I have just mentioned and a few more, do meet our expectations and they have great leadership qualities."

SOUNDBITE: (German) Joachim Loew, Germany coach:

"We want to win against Northern Ireland. We will win, we will win the group. Then I think we will play in the round of 16 in Lille again, where we have been already. I am not aware of any other paths (with regard to the the team's possible further process in the tournament)."

SOUNDBITE: (German) Joachim Loew, Germany coach:

"16 teams (taking part in the tournament) was ideal for me in a way. This was top. Right at the start it was Germany against Portugal, Germany against the Netherlands, Spain against Italy, England against France. Excellent encounters right from the first matchday on. Now we have different constellations. But okay, it is like it is. It will likely remain like this. A reduction won't be possible any more in this day and age. So we must deal with this somehow. And one can of course say that it is probably not so fair that those teams with only one point after the second matchday still have a chance to reach the round of 16. But we just have to take it as it is."