Germany coach Joachim Low has warned his World Cup winners that Poland will "not be handing out any presents" in Saturday's European Championship qualifier.
Low's side take on Poland in Warsaw having not lost any of their 18 clashes with the White Eagles, but are without key players including Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Marco Reus, all of whom are injured.
And he told a news conference, reported on the German FA's official website: "I boarded the plane to Warsaw with the feeling that a tough match is awaiting us in a sold-out stadium. The fans will not be there to celebrate the World champions -- Poland will not hand out any presents."
Describing the Poles as "a candidate for the first two spots" in group D, he added: "We have to admit that Poland have a very good side who play fantastic counter-attacking football and are led by [Bayern Munich striker] Robert Lewandowski. They are tough, defiant and technically skilled opponents."
Low said he had been particularly frustrated by Arsenal midfielder Ozil's knee injury, which "threw over" his plans, adding: "Our situation isn't that easy."
Germany's injury problems could present Ozil's Arsenal teammate [and Polish-born] Lukas Podolski with a chance to shine, and Low said: "When he is with us, Lukas can always hope to start.
"The question is that Lukas rarely starts for Arsenal, and he has proven that he can bring a fresh dynamic into the match later on. But I know that he can start."
Podolski admitted he was not in a position to lay claim to a place in the starting lineup, explaining: "Everyone knows about the situation at Arsenal, and I don't have the playing rhythm to say that I want to start. I try to be in good shape, and I am in good shape. It's up to the coach to decide the rest."