Germany faces a potential pitfall in the Group D clash with Latvia on Saturday in Porto. The Germans, who stuttered against so-called lesser opposition in the qualifying rounds before eventually limping their way to Portugal, face a stern test against the Latvians who proved against the Czech Republic that they neither fear nor respect big reputations.

Coach Rudi Völler knows exactly what his charges are capable of against international minnows and has urged Germany to eclipse their draw against Holland in the first game with an attacking display which destroys the challenge of Latvia. "We'll have more possession and we need to take more initiative, to be more dangerous in front of goal," he said.

Optimism to be kept under control

Despite failing to win the opening game after leading 1-0, Germany has received good support from home and the fans seem satisfied after the shaky pre-tournament results against lesser teams. "I know everybody back home is satisfied and it's good that people believe we can do well, but so far we have not won anything," Völler told a press conference with a cautious tone to his voice.

The Group of Death is currently in a tight state with few points and few goals to spare between the four teams involved. Although the Czech's lead the group with the only win, their goal difference is meagre. Germany could leap-frog them into first place, at least for a couple of hours, with a win but the amount of goals scored could be the deciding factor when it comes to the final day of the group stage. The score in Porto on Saturday will be all important in both instances.

Völler knows Germany must claim the victory but he is not considering the margin. "We accept we are the favourites but talking about goal difference would be foolish," he said. "First of all we have to win the game and that will not be easy. Latvia is not here by accident."

Latvia identifies German weakness

The Latvians scared the Czechs by going a goal in front on June 15 in Aviero by combating the threat of Nedved, Koller and Baros with marauding and maverick counter-attacking moves. Now Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs says he has studied his next opponents in much the same way as he prepared for the Czech Republic and has apparently pinpointed Germany's weaknesses.

"Every team has some minuses," the Latvia coach said. "We tried to exploit them against the Czech Republic and we will also do so against Germany. They are very strong and their style of play is quite different from the Czechs. It will be a tough game.

"We have to come up with something to neutralise Bobic and Kevin Kuranyi - they are very dangerous forwards," Starkovs told reporters. "We will change our tactics but I am not going to tell you how."

"We have already proved that we can make life difficult for the favourites."

Czech loss is incentive, says coach

The Latvian coach echoed the words of his German counterpart by warning Germany that his players were fired up by their disappointing loss against the Czech and were ready to show what they were made of.

"Of course we were disappointed because the players didn't come to Portugal just to make up the numbers," said Starkovs. "However, the negative feelings are going away with every day. The atmosphere in the team is good."

Latvia (probable): Kolinko, Isakovs, Zemlinskis, Stepanovs, Blagonadezdins, Bleidelis, Astafjevs, Laizans, Rubins, Verpakovskis, Pahars.

Germany (probable): Kahn, Friedrich, Worns, Nowotny, Lahm; Baumann, Schneider (or Schweinsteiger), Ballack, Hamann; Frings, Kuranyi.