Lacking Kroos, Germany's national team struggles in a test match against Ukraine.
In the second-to-last UEFA European Championship warm-up game, the German national football team failed to secure a victory. Facing Ukraine, headed by coach Julian Nagelsmann, the team tried to create good chances but without any success. Debutant and key player Toni Kroos strived to make an impact, while the forthcoming player Toni Rudiger's return sparked hope.
The excitement was palpable, but the path wasn't smooth. The absence of two crucial players, Kroos and Rudiger, left the German national team feeling slightly disheartened a bit more than ten days before the tournament's opener at Nuremberg's Max-Morlock-Stadium. Although they showed promising starts against France (2-0) and the Netherlands (2-1), they could not repeat the same performance this time. The match ended in a goalless draw against Ukraine, the EM participant.
The rhythm of the previous country matches could not be reproduced, but the German national team still entertained the spectators against the disliked Ukrainians. Their top goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, faced numerous opportunities, particularly from Maximilian Beier, who stepped up at minute 59. He hit the post in a brilliant move (61.) and came close to scoring (63.).
Beier proved to be a dynamic presence in the last 30 minutes, as the German team chased a victory in front of 42,789 fans. After a chance set up by Führich, another 21-year-old nearly scored the long-awaited goal (79%). Despite his close miss, Beier made it apparent he wouldn't settle for being left out of the squad - the freelance striker of TSG Hoffenheim was determined to bring in the lead goal.
Nagelsmann Lists His Proposed Starting XI for the Championship
Prior to the match, Nagelsmann and his players had already decided on their lineup, sparking considerable interest among the audience. A banner in the North Curve read, "You+us=A team for title number 4," while another large banner stretched across the entire back row, containing a quote from a Sportsfreunde Stiller song at the 2006 World Cup: "With heart in hand and passion in the leg...".
The atmosphere shifted accordingly when the players took the field alongside all Ukrainian players wearing their national flags. Fan calls of encouragement followed quickly, and things didn't slow down from there. Pascal Groß, who played the role of Kroos strategically, and Waldemar Anton, who replaced the wounded Rudiger, kickstarted things.
Nagelsmann had all nine planned players for the opening match in Munich on the 14th of June against Scotland participate in the starting lineup. The imposed intensity from Nagelsmann's typical coaching style triumphed, and the DFB team claimed territory in Ukraine's half of the field. The first genuine opportunity arose 15 minutes into the game, when Gündoğan met with a Galatasaray sniper, Ilkay, who was met with a header, but the timing was off. As he took a more commanding position, Gündoğan's strong appearance suggested he was in better shape.
The high-powered approach provided chances for counterattacks - and after 30 minutes of dominance, Ukraine managed to remind everyone that they were more than mere sparring partners. The tournament's goalkeeper, Neuer, already present for the first time since the World Cup and 550 days ago, spectacularly blocked a shot fired by Roman Yaremchuk (38th).
Yet, overall, the German team maintained an impressive performance against an unremarkable Ukrainian team that ranked 22nd in the global rankings and generally lacked a reputation as a force. One goal, regardless of how dominant their play, did not surface, despite it appearing imminent. While chances for scoring fell to Groß (29th) and Jamal Musiala (42nd), Kai Havertz, who replaced Gündoğan, and Darwin Núñez, who replaced Rudiger, took the field again. In a wave of further changes, Beier was joined by Thomas Müller and Aleksandar Pavlović as the second newcomer to the team. Maximilian Beier
Maximilian Beier
Maximilian Beier methodically exposed vulnerabilities in Ukraine's defensive line and made effective use of free spaces to create an avalanche of chances. After a brilliant kick from Führich, the 21-year-old rushed the post unchecked but failed to score.
In addition to Beier, Nagelsmann added Müller, a seasoned veteran in the attacking field, and Pavlović, the second returnee. The solid display down the stretch showcased an aptitude for scoring. With Nagelsmann's usual zeal, Germany's lineup remained the same from the previous matches.
Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller, a crucial ingredient in Bayern's treble, had a clear plan - allow no opportunities for the Ukrainians, making it harder for the impending visitors. At minute 68, he managed to intercept a promising counterattack that could have resulted in a third goal.
Aleksandar Pavlović
Aleksandar Pavlović lived up to fans' expectations, establishing a strong link between attack and defense, proving he could be a valuable asset in the upcoming tournament. In a toggling pattern, he effectively put Ukraine's offensive capacity to an instant halt during the closing stages of the warm-up match at Nuremberg's Max-Morlock-Stadium.
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