Euro 2024 hosts Germany play out goalless draw against Ukraine
Euro 2024 hosts Germany missed numerous chances and dominated for much of the game against Ukraine on Monday, but were unable to get past a 0-0 draw in their penultimate warm-up game before the tournament begins in 11 days.
The Germans, desperate for a good Euro on home soil after a decade of no international success, hit the woodwork and came close several times in a strong performance despite numerous substitutions.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann is set to reveal his final squad this week, removing one player from his initial 27-man roster.
"I wish we had won 2-0 or 3-0. We played a good game over large phases. The team wanted to win and you could feel it. The first 20 minutes were very good," said Nagelsmann.
"Then the 20 minutes after the break were also very good again and we had six or seven chances to score a goal."
"Then we got caught out on some quick breaks but Manuel (Neuer) was there and he played a good game as well."
Germany, without Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund players after Saturday's Champions League final, but with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in attendance, began quickly and aggressively.
Ilkay Gundogan should have given them the lead in the 16th minute when Pascal Gross crossed to the far post for a header, but the unmarked Germany captain failed to connect properly.
The Ukrainians, who qualified for the Euros with a playoff win over Iceland, gave their opponents possession and attempted to counterattack with Mykhailo Mudryk's speed.
The Germans, who play their final warm-up game against Greece in four days, had another chance early in the second half, but Kai Havertz's glancing header went wide in the 53rd minute.
Maximilian Beier, making his national team debut, got even closer with his first touch, hitting the crossbar from a tight angle and forcing a save from keeper Anatoliy Trubin minutes later.
Trubin also denied Chris Fuehrich from the edge of the box shortly after.
After an hour, the visitors had a larger share of possession and had a chance to win in the final minute, but Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, making his first national-team appearance since the 2022 World Cup, saved Andriy Yarmolenko's effort from a tight angle.
Germany begin the tournament with a Group A match against Scotland on June 14. They also face Hungary and Switzerland in their group.
Ukraine will begin their tournament on June 17 against Romania in Group E, and they will also face Slovakia and Belgium.
SportsLigue