By Barry Whelan, dpa
Germany coach Joachim Loew is upbeat after the world champions defeat Hungary 2-0 in a dress rehearsal of Euro 2016. The squad leaves for France on Tuesday.
Berlin (dpa) – World champions Germany set off for their Euro 2016 base camp on Tuesday in good spirits after defeating Hungary 2-0 in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday.
Coach Joachim Loew saw plenty of positives in the performance including more than 20 minutes of action for Bastian Schweinsteiger following injury, plus a first clean sheet for almost a year and in nine matches.
Manuel Neuer is goal was rarely troubled by fellow Euro 2016 finalists Hungary with an Adam Lang own goal and a Thomas Mueller effort in each half settling the result of a match in which Loew began with a line-up which could very well start next Sunday in Lille against Ukraine.
«The victory gives us stability and a good feeling for next week,»
Loew said.
«It was also important to keep a clean sheet. The team has come together somewhat and went about their job in a very concentrated way, but there are still a couple of things we have to fine-tune.»
Schweinsteiger’s first appearance since March following knee injury was an additional boost, but the Manchester United midfielder looks unlikely to shift Toni Kroos or Sami Khedira in defensive midfield when the Euros get underway.
«He obviously hasn’t got his rhythm yet,» Loew said, adding that «we’ll have to wait and see» about centre back Mats Hummels, who is still out with a calf injury.
Germany will be based from Tuesday at Evians-les Bains for the June 10-July 10 tournament, with Ukraine followed by Poland and Northern Ireland in Group C for the three-time European champions.
Loew began in Gelsenkirchen with Bayern Munich’s Mario Goetze in a forward role, ahead of an attacking midfield of Julian Draxler, Mesut Oezil and Mueller, which is likely to be one of his tactical options in France.
Striker Mario Gomez came on in the second half, with Goetze dropping deeper, in another variation for Germany, while the squad’s third striker, 20-year-old, Leroy Sane, also saw some 20 minutes of play.
With Hummels out, Jerome Boateng partnered Antonio Ruediger in central defence with Benedikt Hoewedes and Jonas Hector in right and left back positions.
«We started very well and kept the ball moving, but perhaps held on to it too long,» Boateng said.
«We gave the ball away too much in the second half, but overall were good. I believe we can be satisfied, we played better than last time.»
Schweinsteiger was also happy with his fitness development now a week away from Germany’s first game.
«Twenty-five to 30 minutes has done me good. But 90 minutes is too much for the first game,» he said.
«I am fitter going into the Euros than I was two years ago going into the World Cup.»
The victory followed a 3-1 defeat for a largely experimental Germany side in Augsburg against Slovakia. The performance against Hungary, who are likely to mirror defensive-minded opponents for Germany at the Euros, is a more accurate reflection of respective strengths.
Hungary, who begin their Euro campaign against Austria on Tuesday week, and also face Iceland and Portugal in Group F, did little to suggest they could be a surprise side at the tournament.
Hungary coach Bernd Storck said: «We knew we would be put under pressure. We gave our best and gave a good account of ourselves. Our strengths are our defensive compactness. We will do the same against Austria.»
