No nerves for hosts Germany after 'perfect' Ukraine draw
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz (centre) was left frustrated against Ukraine
- Published
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann described his side's friendly against Ukraine as "perfect in view of the games that await us in the group phase" despite Scotland's Euro 2024 opponents being held to a 0-0 home draw.
The hosts, who open the tournament next week against Steve Clarke's side, had raised expectations after recent wins over France and the Netherlands.
But they spurned a number of chances in Nuremberg against the side ranked 22nd in the world, particularly during a dominant second-half.
"You'd prefer to win," Nagelsmann said. "But the most important factor is that I want to see a team that wants to win. Today, we wanted that victory."
Taking over late last year after Hansi Flick became the first national coach in Germany history to be sacked, Nagelsmann won just one of his first four games.
He shook up his squad in response, leaving out 11 players and bringing back 2014 World Cup winner Toni Kroos, who had retired from international duty in 2021.
Nagelsmann also turned to players on form with domestic title winners Bayer Leverkusen and runners-up Stuttgart rather than traditional sources Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Germany, who won only three games in 11 outings last year and have slipped to 16th in the world rankings, have now won four, drawn two and lost two under the 36-year-old former Bayern team boss.
Veteran Bayern forward Thomas Mueller, heading into his fourth Euros, said there was "no reason to be nervous" despite the goalless draw as Germany look to improve on two group stage World Cup exits in a row and a loss to England in the last 16 of the Euros in 2021.
Germany, who face Greece in their final friendly on Friday in Moenchengladbach, were without four players, including fulcrum Kroos, who played with Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final, against Ukraine.
Debutant Hoffenheim striker Maximilian Beier went close to breaking the deadlock, while 21-year-olds Florian Wirtz, from Leverkusen, and Jamal Musiala, of Bayern, showed they can form a dangerous attacking combination from midfield.
Other Nagelsmann selections, including midfielder Chris Fuehrich and left-back Maximilian Mittelstaedt, both of Stuttgart, also impressed.