Euro 2024 host Germany had to come from a goal down to snatch a last gasp 2-1 victory over Greece on Friday in a lacklustre dress rehearsal ahead of next week’s tournament start.
Pascal Gross fired in the winner in the 89th minute as the Germans showed they still have room for improvement ahead of their June 14 tournament opener against Scotland.
In an error-ridden first half performance, the hosts often lost possession, with the Greeks carving out a golden chance in the sixth minute.
But Christos Tzolis’s double effort from close range was blocked by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
However, Neuer could not hold on to another Tzolis shot in the 33rd after the German defence lost possession in their own half, with the keeper spilling the ball into the path of Giorgos Masouras for a tap-in.
Neuer’s error came shortly after Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed he was cutting Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel as he finalized the 26-player squad for the tournament. Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann are the two other goalkeepers in the squad.
Nagelsmann committed in March to having Neuer as his first-choice goalkeeper for Euro 2024, even though injuries meant the Bayern Munich goalkeeper only played his first game under Nagelsmann for Germany in Monday’s 0-0 draw with Ukraine.
Source – Germany 2-1 Greece (Jun 7, 2024) Game Analysis – ESPN
