Germany star Antonio Rudiger has urged his teammates to be "a little dirty" when they face France's attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema on Tuesday night.
Germany open their 2020 UEFA European Championship campaign against the world champions in the "group of death" that also includes defending European champions Portugal.
France have been tipped by many to be the favourites for the tournament, especially after in-form striker Karim Benzema was recalled following a six-year absence from international football.
With the Real Madrid star likely to join Mbappe and Griezmann in Les Bleus' attack, Rudiger feels Germany's defenders have to make their presence known on Tuesday night.
"We have to be a little dirty, not always be nice or try to play nice football.
"Against players like them, you have to throw down a marker."
Die Mannschaft have won three European Championship titles in the past, although their last triumph came more than 20 years ago, in 1996.
