Former Germany star Stefan Effenberg expects the Euro 2024 hosts to face a "very difficult" round of 16 game against Denmark on Saturday.
The Danes only managed three draws in the group stage but Effenberg says they will provide Germany with "a tense and close game...in which the Germans will also suffer at times," he wrote in a column for the news portal T-online.
The former Bayern Munich midfielder was impressed by the Danes in their 1-1 draw against England.
"They showed that they can not only defend, but also have a player in Christian Eriksen who can make the difference with his creativity," wrote Effenberg.
Denmark are on a par with Switzerland, who drew 1-1 with Germany in the last group game, Effenberg added.
He also believes that striker Niclas Füllkrug should start in Dortmund in place of Kai Havertz "to counter the Danes' physical style of play."
Jonathan Tah is suspended and his centre back partner Antonio Rüdiger is struggling with a thigh strain, meaning Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton are likely to step in for Germany. Effenberg said he would "not be worried" by the prospect.
Fellow pundit and ex-Germany player Dietmar Hamann told Sky that Austria and Spain have made the strongest impression so far at the European Championship.
"Someone has to beat the Austrians first," Hamann said. "They are incredibly strong in terms of running and fighting. You can just see that there's a unit on the pitch."
