|
|
Saddened Schweinsteiger rues defensive errors against Italy
Jun 29, 2012 1:29:00 PM
The Bayern Munich midfielder was frustrated by his team's proligacy in front of goal and the space afforded to Mario Balotelli after Die Mannschaft were sent home
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose have revealed their bitter disappointment at Germany’s elimination from Euro 2012 at the hands of Italy on Thursday.
The Azzurri triumphed 2-1 on the night with Mesut Ozil’s late penalty not enough to cancel out Mario Balotelli’s first-half double, and, in truth, Cesare Prandelli’s side could have added several more as Die Mannschaft searched for a lifeline in the second half.
| Italy 2-1 Germany |
|||
 |
Schweinsteiger rued the defensive errors that allowed the Manchester City striker to pounce, pointing out the second originated from a Germany set-piece, while he was also frustrated at the profligacy of him and his team-mates.
Speaking to ARD, Schweinsteiger said: “Of course we are disappointed and sad that we lost the game. We all hoped for something else.
“Unfortunately, this match did not go the way we imagined. We had the chances to take the lead, then we fell behind in an unnecessary situation.
“Then the second goal came from a break after our set-play. That really should not happen because we all know that Balotelli is a player who plays on the last man in the offside trap.”
Lazio forward Klose was similarly despondent regarding the eventual result, claiming Germany had not lived up to the expectations they created before the tournament, while he also suggested that the nation’s poor record against Italy may have been playing on the minds of some players.
Klose added: "The hurdle of Italy was a little bit too high. We have failed to do what we are capable of doing.
“Maybe it was the respect that we had for them, maybe the fact that we had never won against the Italians in a major tournament was in the back of our minds."
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Inside Goal.Com
-
Why Real Madrid are appointing Ancelotti
After the decision to dispense with Jose Mourinho was announced on Monday, the Spanish side have set their sights on the PSG coach, and he looks like the ideal man for the job
-
-
AVB, Levy & Lewis to thrash out Tottenham plans
After missing out on a place in the Champions League, the north London side are devising a way to keep Gareth Bale at the club and attract new stars to White Hart Lane
-
Real Madrid are better off without Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he's leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
-
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
