Germany started their Euro 2016 campaign by overcoming a testing Ukraine side in a 2-0 win earlier this morning.
Although it was Yehven Konoplyanka who had the first strike on goal, the tone for this match soon became apparent as the Ukrainians were suffocated under expert pressure from the players in white. Shkodran Mustafi’s pinpoint header in the 19th put the reigning world champions ahead and once the advantage was taken, the rest seemed almost too comfortable.
Joachim Loew’s men continued to dominate the possession in all areas of the field during the second-half and while some heroics from Yellow-Blue goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov kept some hope alive on the scoresheet, the Ukrainians could hardly buy a chance on goal to equalise. The result was sealed by late substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger, with the German footballing hero volleying home from a 92nd minute cross.
Die Mannschaft next face Northern Ireland, while Ukraine will need a positive result against Poland.
Germany
Manuel Neuer – 7: Some of the pressure was taken off the custodian due to some superb defending, yet Neuer was still impenetrable when called upon.
Benedikt Howedes – 7: Ukraine’s biggest threat was on the wings and the right-back was equal to the challenge all contest, with numerous interceptions and clearances around the penalty area.
Jerome Boateng – 5.5: The weakest link the Germany’s defensive chain, displaying poor distribution from the back and a lack of hunger when going for the ball.
Shkodran Mustafi – 8: Die Mannschaft’s opener came from an unlikely source, but it was Mustafi’s picturesque header which started the match off perfectly for the world champions. Also performed admirably at the back.
Jonas Hector – 6.5: Also helped to shutdown Ukraine on the width, but did not have a huge impact on the game.
Sami Khedria – 7.5: Was a perfect link between defence and attack, hardly missing a beat when on the ball. Had two shots on goal saved by the opposition goalkeeper.
Toni Kroos – 7.5: A similarly expert showing to his screening partner Khedira. Created five chances on goal, sent in five crosses and struck the woodwork with a curling strike just after halftime.
Thomas Muller – 6.5: The Bayern star was relatively quiet, only getting one sight on goal himself and fumbling a number of passes.
Mesut Ozil – 7: Took a late strike at Pyatov, but overall space was hard to come by through the centre. Did create a few chances from the wide areas though.
Julian Draxler – 7: Was lively in attack and won the majority of his take-ons before being substituted with 10 minutes left.
Mario Gotze – 6.5: A composed figure up front for Germany, yet had trouble breaking into the penalty area. Was replaced by veteran Bastian Schweinsteiger for the final minutes.
Substitutes
Andre Schurrle – 5.5: Had limited time with the ball when on the field.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – 7: The German icon only had a few touches, but sealed the game with his 92nd minute close-range goal.
Ukraine
Andriy Pyatov – 8: There was little chance of stopping the goals, yet Ukraine’s gloveman can still hold his head high after recorded eight saves in the face of continual pressure.
Viacheslav Shevchuck – 4.5: Was far too easy to get past on the wing, with both of Germany’s goals generated through the left and passed with just over 50% accuracy.
Yaroslav Rakitskiy – 6: Attempted to marshall the defence against Germany’s firepower with good interceptions and clearances, but conversely lost out on all attempted tackles.
Yehven Khacheridi – 6: Passed out well from the back, but most of the Ukraine momentum was quickly shutdown during the game.
Artem Fedetskiy – 4.5: Was torn to shreds by Draxler on the right side and his passing when on the ball was dreadful.
Taras Stepanenko – 5.5: Was good when battling in the air, but could not hold the German forwards out of the 18-yard area.
Sergiy Sydorchuk – 6.5: Passed well to try and generate some attacks and showed no fear when going in for a tackle.
Yehven Konoplyanka – 7: Forced a save from Neuer early on and his pace when on the wing was on clear display. Was lacking the same efforts from teammates, however.
Viktor Kovalenko – 4: Did nothing of note from the centre before being substituted in the 74th minute.
Andriy Yarmolenko – 6.5: Won all three of his attempted take-ons on the wing and could have done more had there been decent targets up front.
Roman Zozulya – 4: Only touched the ball a few times and came nowhere near a chance inside the 18-yard box. Was replaced just after the hour mark.
Substitutes
Evgen Seleznyov – 5: The German defenders relentlessly cut out anything going forward for Ukraine.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5: Only touched the ball a few times.
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