Nuremberg: Germany were held to a 0-0 draw by Ukraine as the European Championship hosts lacked a cutting edge at a sold out Max-Morlock Stadion in Nuremberg. More than 44,000 fans were in jovial mood at kick-off, expecting a Germany that have rediscovered their form under Julian Nagelsmann put on a show less than two weeks before they start Euro 2024 against Scotland in Munich on June 14. What Germany's supporters got was something quite different, as Nagelsmann's side dominated long periods but failed to make the breakthrough against a resilient Ukraine.
Germany came into this game having turned a corner under Nagelsmann, winning their last two games against France and the Netherlands with an aggressive, high tempo style and sparking optimism that, with home advantage, this European Championship could be a successful one. Nagelsmann was without Real Madrid's Toni Kroos and Antonio Ruediger, both rested after winning the Champions League final as well as Borussia Dortmund pair Nico Schlotterbeck and Niclas Fuellkrug. Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross deputized for Kroos admirably, pulling the strings alongside Bayer Leverkusen's Robert Andrich, and Germany were relatively comfortable at the back, as Stuttgart's Waldemar Anton enjoyed an assured full debut alongside Jonathan Tah.
It was rather in attack where Germany laboured, lacking a cutting edge. Arsenal's Kai Havertz was isolated for long periods and Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, whose every touch sent a buzz of excit.
