Eleven days earlier than the beginning of the European Championship: DFB crew with zero quantity in opposition to Ukraine

Beneath the eyes of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the DFB crew and Ukraine exchanged blows. Julian Nagelsmann’s crew desperately wished the successful purpose, however regardless of greater than 20 photographs on purpose, the ball didn’t go into the purpose. Ultimately it remained 0-0 within the final take a look at earlier than the opening sport in opposition to Scotland. “I had the impression that we wished to win,” Nagelsmann mentioned. Nonetheless, he nonetheless noticed room for enchancment, “the crosses should come much more aggressively.”

“Sadly we did not reward ourselves for the massive variety of scoring alternatives,” goalkeeper Manuel Neuer mentioned. Thomas Müller additionally thought: “We deserved a purpose as we speak.” So, “it is a disgrace we did not rating one.” FC Bayern colleague Joshua Kimmich was additionally happy as a result of “we already had a variety of what we would have liked.”

“I am glad we saved a clear sheet,” mentioned ARD professional Bastian Schweinsteiger. “The Ukrainians can do one thing.” It’s not straightforward to play in opposition to them.

EM formation will enter

Earlier than the ball was launched, there was a second of silence in reminiscence of 1974 world champion Bernd Hölzenbein, who died in April.

With two exceptions, Nagelsmann was chargeable for the creation of the meant European Championship: Waldemar Anton and Pascal Groß changed Champions League winners Antonio Rüdiger and Toni Kroos. Manuel Neuer was in purpose for the primary time because the opening spherical of the World Cup in Qatar 2022.

In any other case, the nationwide coach trusted the crew, which had already impressed the euphoria of the European Championship in March in opposition to France (2:0) and the Netherlands (2:1). As anticipated, Joshua Kimmich and Maximilian Mittelstädt performed as full backs. In assault, Nagelsmann relied on younger stars Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz together with captain Ilkay Gündogan, with Kai Havertz as the principle attacker. Ukraine was ready and entered the duel with a five-man defensive position.

This was felt by Wirtz and Musiala, who had been unable to get their first efficient shot at purpose regardless of some good passing within the first couple of minutes. In return, the Ukrainians confirmed their power within the face of assault. Mykhaylo Mudryk (4th) moved the ball from midfield to the penalty space and appeared for the end. He wasn’t presupposed to be a mild, pleasant bouncer.

The 1-0 was within the air

Initially the DFB crew was unable to reap the benefits of the alternatives created by way of fixed urgent. A powerful go from Groß went straight to Gündogan (fifteenth), who was prepared within the five-yard field, however he virtually missed the primary purpose along with his head.

Nagelmann’s crew elevated the strain, however luck and accuracy had been nonetheless missing. Groß (twenty ninth), like Andrich, ran the ball over the field. The blue and yellow had been ready for a path they usually defended with a variety of legs they usually examined Manuel Neuer for the primary time within the thirty eighth minute. Nonetheless, the 38-year-old was noticed when striker Roman Yaremchuk intercepted the highly effective shot and bought the ball safely within the subsequent step.

Quickly after, Wirtz and Musiala twisted their method by way of the defensive strains. The Munich participant discovered house to complete, however the ball simply missed the left submit. “I assumed the primary 20-25 minutes had been excellent.

It’s not simply Beier that’s being praised

Nagelsmann made a double swap and introduced on Deniz Undav and Chris Führich for Gündogan and Wirtz. There was now extra strain within the assault, however the blue-yellow protection was nonetheless troublesome to crack. Havertz (53′) curled the ball simply previous the far nook. His latest alternative, Maximilian Beier, brought about an uproar within the crowd when he put the ball on the aluminum in his worldwide debut. And simply two minutes later, goalkeeper Trubin examined once more with a dropkick.

Former Bayern coach Nagelsmann continued to make adjustments and, after Thomas Müller, introduced Munich teenager Aleksandar Pavlovic into the sport. Chris Führich had the subsequent arduous shot at purpose.

Good luck to Neuer

Within the 89th minute, Neuer made issues ineffective once more. The keeper had left his field far behind and acquired the ball virtually within the middle circle. Then he not solely takes the ball away, however chooses the chip, which finally ends up on the opponent. Then Dovbyk is distributed to foot and is free by way of. Happily for the DFB crew: Since Neuer is out for therefore lengthy, the striker is clearly the wrong way up. In stoppage time it was virtually sufficient to make it 1-0, however Undav was denied by Trubin, who was in good spirits.