Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels made their first Germany appearances since 2018 as they drew 1-1 with Denmark in a Euro 2020 warm-up game in Austria.
The pair and Jerome Boateng were exiled by Joachim Low as he looked towards building the youth for the future – but he has recalled Muller and Hummels for this summer’s finals given their stellar performances in the Bundesliga.
Low’s plans of building a German side for the future have backfired as the side had a terrible showing in the UEFA Nations League after the group stage exit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In his last tournament in charge, Low has decided to rely on his experienced players – the ones who helped him win the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
However, it was the youngster Florian Neuhaus who scored the opening goal for Die Mannschaft after a fortunate ricochet in the box that landed kindly for him to then latch onto.
RB Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen who is familiar with his German opponents, ran onto a Christian Eriksen through ball to slam in an equaliser from a rare Danish chance.
The Germans dominated possession and controlled the game but were unfortunate to not add to their solitary goal.
Florian Neuhaus of Germany celebrates his goal with Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Serge Gnabry hit the crossbar for Germany with a fine curling effort in the first half and Muller had a chance to score his 39th international goal in his 101st cap but his header was straight at Leicester City captain and keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Germany were disappointing as they were not clinical, which has been a recurring trend in recent times.
However, they were below strength, with four important players yet to join the squad after four of them played in the UEFA Champions League final – Antonio Rudiger, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner from Chelsea as well as Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City. Toni Kroos was also unavailable as he is yet to fully recover from Covid-19.
Denmark has only lost two games since September 2018, which is extremely commendable. They play Bosnia on Sunday, with Germany facing Latvia the next day.
Denmark are in a Euro 2020 group with Belgium, Finland and Russia. Germany are in the ‘group of death’ alongside France, Portugal and Hungary.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland scored in the final minute to lead Norway to a 1-0 victory over Luxembourg. Neither side are in this summer’s European Championship, unfortunately, but Haaland will look to continue his stellar form.
