Joachim Low: 'Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm will stop Cristiano Ronaldo'

Germany coach Joachim Low is confident that Jerome Boateng and Philipp Lahm will combat the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo in Monday's World Cup opener with Portugal.

Both nations are poised to clash in Salvador next week, and Low hints that he may field Lahm in midfield to help his Bayern Munich teammate with the task of silencing the Ballon d'Or winner.

"It does play a role who can keep Ronaldo in check, and Jerome Boateng has done that in the past," Low told reporters. "So too has Lahm so together they will deal with him.

"You cannot let him out of your sight, literally. You've always got to ask 'what's Ronaldo doing, where is Ronaldo'.

"Ronaldo and Nani seem to be drifting into no-man's land, then the ball is suddenly there at their feet and they are ready to attack you."

Monday's encounter is scheduled to kick off at 5pm.