Germany held to goalless draw by Ukraine as UEFA Euro 2024 preparations continue
Germany were held to a goalless draw by Ukraine at the Max-Morlock Stadium in Nuremberg in the first of two friendlies before the 2024 UEFA European Championships.
Germany 0-0 Ukraine
Germany's opening match at this summer's tournament is just 11 days away, with this only one of two games they have to prepare. While Julian Nagelsmann was without the likes of Toni Kroos, Antonio Rüdiger, Niclas Füllkrug and Nico Schlotterbeck following their UEFA Champions League exploits, he still named a strong starting XI for the encounter against a Ukraine side also gearing up for this summer's big tournament. The visitors warned Germany of their counterattacking danger within five minutes when Mykola Matviienko fired over from close range, but Nagelmann's men responded strongly. Admittedly, there were few clear-cut chances, but İlkay Gündoğan should have scored from the edge of the six-yard box as he mistimed his header from Pascal Groß's cross, while Matviienko deflected Jamal Musiala's late shot narrowly wide of the post. At the end other end, Roman Yaremchuk forced a strong save from Manuel Neuer after Jonathan Tah had been dispossessed. In the end, though, neither side could find a breakthrough before the break.
After the interval, Germany were far more dangerous, especially following the introduction of Maximilian Beier. Kai Havertz had headed beyond the post shortly after the restart, but replacement Beier hit the woodwork with his first involvement after coming on around the hour mark before forcing an important low save from Anatoliy Trubin. Ukraine continued to threaten on the break, yet Neuer was relatively serene between the sticks and was rarely forced into action. As if often the way with international friendlies, the substitutes were frequent as the game approached its climax, with both managers keen to take a good look at the players they have available to them. Another sub, Chris Führich, tested Trubin with a fierce effort before Beier headed wide from Deniz Undav's cross to the back post. Overall, Germany dominated possession and were increasingly in control as time went by, but they were ultimately unable to find the goal they were looking for. Nagelsmann and his players will now turn their attention to Friday's match with Greece at Borussia-Park, where the head coach will hope to be with his full squad.
Friendly International friendly International friendly Max-Morlock-Stadion, Nuremberg
Full-time: Germany 0-0 Ukraine
There are no goals in Nuremberg after a nonetheless action-packed encounter. Germany hit 26 shots and provided plenty of bright moments, with Maximilian Beier particularly impressive in a strong second half for the hosts.
Beier does brilliantly between the lines to play Undav in, but Trubin races out well to deny the Stuttgart attacker.
90'
Neuer stops Yarmolenko
Another late chance for Ukraine as Yarmolenko chases into the box and has a shot at the near post from close range stopped by Neuer. Three minutes of stoppage time are indicated.
87'
Dovbyk free to score but flagged offside
A frightening moment for Germany as Manuel Neuer loses the ball on the halfway line trying to clear his lines. Yarmolenko heads Dovbyk through on an open goal, but the substitute is flagged for offside.
87'
Kimmich wide
Germany continue to move forward looking for the opener. Kimmich receives the ball on the right corner of the area and scuffs a shot across the goalmouth and out.
82'
Another Germany corner
Beier has a shot deflected behind. Mittelstädt clips the corner in, and it is cleared to Groß, who hammers over from just outside the box.
79'
Beier again
The Hoffenheim youngster has a third good chance since coming on! He stoops down to head the ball from within the six-yard box, sending it just wide.
78'
Führich flashes shot
After another good passing sequence, the Stuttgart substitute lashes an effort from the edge of the box that Trubin does well to get a strong pair of hands to and keep out.
74'
Kimmich cross brings corner
Another good ball from Kimmich on the right is headed dangerously near his own target by Zabarnyi, and a corner is awarded.
72'
Müller down
The Bayern veteran goes to ground under a challenge from Konoplya in the box, but no penalty is awarded.
Germany have really upped the pressure throughout the second half, with a number of substitutes making a telling impact. We await the opening goal still.
The 21-year-old is in the thick of another attack, charging towards goal and turning the ball onto fellow substitute Undav, who has a shot from the edge of the box saved.
63'
Beier denied again
The substitute fires another fierce shot, which is saved well by Trubin.
61'
Beier hits bar!
The Hoffenheim striker rattles the woodwork in his very first touch in a Germany shirt after latching onto a through ball!
It has been all Germany in this second half so far...
Shots
14
5
56'
Undav blocked
Another good move! Mittelstädt feeds the ball down to Führich on the left, and his cutback runs straight to another Stuttgart team-mate, Deniz Undav, who sets up a shot and takes aim but has his drive blocked by a defender.
53'
Kimmich to Havertz
Another good cross from the right is met by Kai Havertz in the box and headed off-target. Germany appear to be getting closer to a breakthrough...
50'
Dangerous from Musiala
The Bayern youngster wriggles free of his marker on the touchline and clips in a dangerous cross from the right that Trubin can punch clear before Undav pounces.
49'
Little change
Germany continue to control the ball and attack against a deep-seated Ukraine defence. Kimmich and Groß both clip dangerous crosses in, but they are both cleared.
46'
Off we go again
The visitors get the second period underway with Germany making two half-time changes: the Stuttgart pair of Undav and Führich are brought on for Wirtz and Gündoğan.
Some superb combination football from Wirtz, Gündogan and Musiala around the edge of the box sees the Bayern playmaker take aim and have his effort deflected behind. He scoops a shot over moments later.
39'
Yaremchuk draws strong save
The Ukraine striker is teed up by Tsygankov inside the Germany area, and his stinging effort is saved well by Manuel Neuer.
37'
Andrich over again
Wirtz probes the Ukraine defence and the ball falls to Andrich from around 30 yards out, but the midfielder fires over again.
35'
In control of the ball
There has been no doubting which side is more comfortable on the ball, but Germany are yet to convert that into major chances.
Possession (%)
70
30
32'
Andrich attempts free-kick breakthrough
After Musiala is fouled, Robert Andrich steps up to take a free-kick from 20 yards out. The Leverkusen midfield general shoots over the bar.
29'
Groß over
Good work from Musiala to move in from the right and lay the ball off for Pascal Groß on the edge of the area. The midfielder sends his shot just over the bar.
Promising, but we await a breakthrough
Germany have bossed the ball so far but are needing to be creative as they seek a way through a patient Ukraine defence - in what is likely to be a good test ahead of their matches to come as hosts of EURO 2024.
The visitors have a rare attack that leads to Stepanenko smashing well wide.
22'
Germany trying to pass their way through
Gündogan and Havertz combine in the area, but the sheer mass of Ukrainian defenders in there crowds them out.
20'
Germany on top
Wirtz flashes over from the edge of the box in the hosts' latest effort.
Shots
5
2
18'
Dangerous cross
Groß takes a short corner and swings a cross towards the far post that Trubin punches well clear.
15'
Germany pressure
Wirtz pokes the ball through to Havertz on the left, only for a defender to turn the ball behind for a corner. Gündoğan then gets a good chance with a header straight in front of the target.
14'
Germany corner
Groß takes a corner from the left that is cleared to Kimmich on the edge of the box. The Bayern full-back hits a volley towards the target that is blocked.
10'
Mittelstädt tries to make his mark
The Stuttgart full-back scored a stunning goal in the last international break against the Netherlands, and he tries to repeat that feat from 20 yards out, flashing his drive wide.
Clear tactical lines drawn
Ukraine are defending deeply but attacking quickly on the transition. The likes of Wirtz and Musiala might just need to reach into their bags of tricks for a breakthrough.
Ukraine now threaten for the first time with Mudryk chasing down on the Germany defence and having a shot blocked into the path of Tsygankov, who fires wide.
2'
Young guns link up
Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala combine a couple of times as Germany threaten to burst into the Ukraine area from the left.
2'
Confident start
Germany dominate possession in the opening minutes.
1'
Away we go
The match kicks off after the two sides pose for a photo showing their solidarity and a minute's applause is held for 1974 World Cup Winner Bernd Hölzenbein, who recently passed away.
Kick-off!
The players are out
There are plenty of fans of both teams at the packed Max Morlock Stadion, with a giant German flag made in the main stand.
Nagelsmann on Ukraine
"You can't forget what is happening in their country. We want to play our part in making it a good and interesting match so the people in Ukraine have something else to focus on for 90 minutes."
Both of tonight's sides will start their EURO 2024 campaign down the road from Nuremberg in Munich. Ukraine will face Romania on Monday 17 June in their Group E opener before playing Slovakia and Belgium.
Scotland win
Germany's opponents are also busily preparing for EURO 2024. Scotland - who Germany will face in the tournament opener on 14 June - played a friendly against Gibraltar earlier today and won 2-0.
More on that Germany team
Julian Nagelsmann picks the expected XI, which sees Waldemar Anton making his first start, while Manuel Neuer (pictured) will make his 118th Germany appearance and first since the 2022 World Cup.
Germany's home matches are rotated across the country, with Nuremberg last hosting one in June 2017, when Germany beat San Marino 7-0 in World Cup qualifying.
Germany and Ukraine played out an entertaining 3-3 draw in Bremen last June, with Niclas Füllkrug and Kai Havertz finding the net before a Joshua Kimmich stoppage-time penalty rescued a point.
With the big opening day clash v Scotland very much on the horizon, Julian Nagelsmann is expected to field a strong side against Ukraine. The four players in the squad who contested Saturday's UEFA Champions League final - Dortmund's Niclas Füllkrug and Nico Schlotterbeck, plus Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger, will not feature. Stuttgart defender Waldemar Anton (pictured) is in line to make his first Germany start.
The above is not the Max Morlock Stadion ahead of tonight's match - these were the scenes in Jena as the Germany squad held a public training session last Monday, and 15,000 people turned up to support their national side!
It's fair to say there is a great sense of anticipation across Germany as the country gears up to host the tournament, with the expectation that fondly remembered party scenes from the 2006 World Cup will be repeated. After wins against the Netherlands and France in friendlies in March, there is also real hope that Julian Nagelsmann's side can go far.
Welcome!
There are only 11 days to go until Germany kick-off Euro 2024 against Scotland in Munich. They have two games left to prepare for hosting duties. Before they face Greece on Friday, Julian Nagelsmann's side welcome Ukraine to Nuremberg on Monday. You can follow all the build-up and live action right here!
