Oliver Bierhoff is keen for Germany to avoid a clash with England in the second round of the World Cup.
Germany take on joint leaders Ecuador in their battle for Group A supremacy on Tuesday, with the losers likely to face an early meeting with Sven-Goran Eriksson's troops, who need only to draw against Sweden to win Group B.
The tournament hosts looked like the force of old in their first match, comfortably beating Costa Rica 4-2, but they could not score against Poland until injury-time, when Oliver Neuville slid home the game's only goal.
Yet Bierhoff is wary of a clash with their long-time rivals.
'I would prefer to play Sweden rather than England, who remain favourites to win Group B,' said the team manager, who works alongside head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
'But then again a big win early in the knock-out stages could give us a major confidence booster for the remaining matches.'
