While Germany come into a high-stakes clash with near neighbours Hungary in a buoyant mood, after they impressively beat holders Portugal 4-2 at the weekend, hopes of progress have been hit by some unwanted injury news.
Ahead of Wednesday decisive game, two of Joachim Low's veterans of the 2014 World Cup-winning campaign are expected to miss out in Munich, causing a potentially momentum-halting disruption to the first XI. However, the Nationalelf certainly have a deep squad with which to re-stock their starting side and can call upon quality replacements if required.
After Thomas Muller highlighted that Low was right to recall him from the international wilderness earlier this year with a lively showing against the defending champions, a frustrating knee injury could mean that the Bayern Munich forward will be out for at least a week. Bayern teammate Leroy Sane is a strong favourite to take his place in the front line, but offers a very different attacking proposition to the ever-elusive Muller.
Another recent returnee to the national side, Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels, only returned to training earlier this week after also struggling with a knee problem, with Niklas Sule his ready-made replacement if needed.
Meanwhile, another Munich-based man - the versatile Joshua Kimmich - is set to team up again with wing-back partner Robin Gosens against the Hungarians, with the dynamic duo among five players on a tournament-leading two assists after the first two matchdays.
Previously doubted by the Germany faithful, Gosens has established himself as the darling of their Euros campaign so far - capturing hearts and minds with a 'Star of the Match' performance last time out. Having registered 12 goals and six assists from the left flank for Atalanta last term, the powerful wide man is now a crucial part of the jigsaw for Low, whose team previously lacked penetration on the wings.
With Lukas Klostermann still injured, Low will not be able to consider moving Kimmich back into midfield, but both Ilkay Gundogan and Leon Goretzka have been passed fit to bolster his engine room options.
On the bench, meanwhile, both Timo Werner and Emre Can have featured already and head the list of Low's options for change, but the outgoing Bundestrainer is likely to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack any further until well into the second half.
Germany possible starting lineup: Neuer; Ginter, Sule, Rudiger; Kimmich, Gundogan, Kroos, Gosens; Havertz, Gnabry, Sane
> Click here to see how Hungary could line up for Wednesday's Group F game body check tags ::
