Germany assistant coache Thomas Schneider on Thursday (23rd June) talked to journalists at the team base camp in Evian-les-Bains ahead of the upcoming Euro 2016 round of 16 game against Slovakia in Lille on Sunday (26th June).

SOUNDBITE (German) Thomas Schneider, Germany assistant coach:

"First of all, we are happy that we do now know which opponent we will face. In the last few days a little statistics study was required for this in order to find out the different (possible) permutations. I think you cannot take the test game (on May 29 in Augsburg when Germany lost 1:3 to Slovakia) as a benchmark. We know that Slovakia gave us a few challenges back then, but we were in the middle of our preparations. I think now we are in the knockout stage and we have completely different preconditions. So, probably a few words with regard to the opponent team: They are playing a very good-looking football seen from a technical point of view - out of a compact defensive unit. They have already shown this in the course of this tournament. It is a difficult task for us, but also a task that we can resolve - and in the end we will certainly succeed in doing this."

SOUNDBITE (German) Thomas Schneider, Germany assistant coach:

"We are currently on a very good level. But it is also clear that we missed too many chances to score goals in the last game (against Northern Ireland). However, we still have room for improvements. And as I have already said: I think we are on a very, very good level now and we are definitely ready for the next game and we are full of self-confidence."

SOUNDBITE (German) Thomas Schneider, Germany assistant coach:

"Ah, the playoff chart...we are now looking at the next game first. Full concentration and focus on the round of 16. And we will see what will come next then. It is not bad that Italy plays against Spain now, because at least one of these two teams will then definitely be out of the tournament afterwards. However, in the end you must beat any team if you want to become European champions."