After holding their own in a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in their opening game on Tuesday, the three-time world and European champions will want to dictate play against Latvia, who were very competitive in their 2-1 loss to the Czech Republic.

"We will have more possession and we will have to play a more attacking game," said Voeller. "We need to take more initiative and to be more dangerous in front of goal."

To do that, Voeller, who opted for a compact formation with only Kevin Kuranyi up front against the Dutch, will field a second striker at Porto's Bessa stadium, probably Fredi Bobic.

A defensive midfielder, possibly Frank Baumann, will likely lose his place in the lineup.

Latvia are expected to rely on the same game plan they used against the Czechs, with a well-organised defence as the base on which to launch swift counter-attacks.

Coach Aleksandrs Starkovs said his best player, attacking midfielder Marian Pahars, should play a bigger role after being a late substitute against the Czechs due to fitness worries.

The Baltic side came to Portugal with absolutely nothing to lose and realised after their first game that they can give more prestigious opponents a hard time.

"Maybe we can grab a point against Germany or the Netherlands," said goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko, who played his part in keeping the Czechs at bay until late in the game.

A convincing performance against the Dutch that suggested Germany, who had a poor run-in to the tournament, may have a serious title chance.

Voeller, however, remained cautious.

"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," he said.

Beating Latvia, Voeller warned, would not be a formality.

"They are not here by accident," he said.

How many goals the three big teams score against the tournament's rank outsiders could be decisive in a tough group but Voeller said Germany should concentrate on getting a victory, not on the winning 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."