In the final match, - Questions arise instead of EC triumph hopes: Groß shields national squad
This isn't going to be a fresh summer fairy tale. Despite Pascal Groß scoring a goal late on to give Germany a 2:1 (0:1) victory in their final Euro warm-up game against Greece, there's cause for concern ahead of Friday's opening match against Scotland.
National team coach Julian Nagelsmann will have to make several changes to his 26-man squad within the next two days, with fans in Munich eagerly awaiting Germany's first game on home soil.
Kai Havertz managed to score with a goal in the 56th minute, helped by a shaky first half performance from the German team. The substitute Benjamin Henrichs came close to scoring a second for Germany in the 83rd minute with a header, but it wasn't to be. At least the German side showed some fight.
The Greeks, who had lost in the Euro play-offs back in March against Georgia, put in a heartfelt display in the Borussia Park, and deserved the goal they scored through Giorgos Masouras (34th). The striker took advantage of a major error from Manuel Neuer, who has once again failed to convince as Germany's number one goalkeeper. Champions League winners Toni Kroos and Antonio Rudiger couldn't provide the same mentality at the national level that they do with their club team, Real Madrid.
Lacking speed, intensity, ball control, and most importantly any sort of European Championship tension
The underwhelming performance in the first half will have Nagelsmann questioning his team selection. Despite fielding the same starting line-up that should have played at the Euros, they failed to display the speed, intensity, ball control, and the necessary tension that it takes to make a impact in the competition. The Greeks, who were seen as underdogs, looked more like they were preparing for a crucial tournament - not the Euros itself.
A series of errors
The goal in the 33rd minute highlighted the sloppy and error-prone nature of Germany's performance: Jamal Musiala lost the ball after a misplaced pass from Jonathan Tah. And key, Neuer made another costly mistake, allowing a seemingly harmless shot from Christos Tzolis to sail past him. Masouras, who had also been linked to Hertha BSC, had an easy finish.
Despite an incredible save from close range against Tzolis in the 6th minute, this major mistake by Neuer was overshadowed by his previous error.
The opening stages were marked by a risky and unsuccessful pass from Musiala in the midfield. These errors were consistent throughout the first half.
Fans even booed at halftime, and Nagelsmann reacted to their team's poor play with the substitution of Leroy Sané and David Raum. These changes had a double effect: they reinvigorated the team, and Sané played a key role in reviving Germany's stagnant offense.
Havertz with the crucial goal
Sané is a vital player for Nagelsmann, and his performance against Greece supported this. He played a crucial part in Germany's equalizer, which Havertz (the center-forward) scored. Sané is also a potential alternative to Florian Wirtz, who has struggled this season, and could step in as a potential number ten for captain Ilkay Gündogan, who has been invisible and floundering in this role.
Nübel - the fourth choice goalkeeper - and no other player was left off the team, with Nagelsmann explaining that their decision was down to uncertainties over Sané's fitness. "We had some doubts about Leroy's fitness," said Nagelsmann in an interview with RTL. "We had to adjust because of that."
Against the Greeks, Sané proved his worth as one of the few players who can challenge the regulars in the team. The Bayern star will likely be a vital player if Germany is to have any chance of success in the tournament.
