Kai Havertz leaped to the defence of Thomas Muller after the Germany star wasted a golden opportunity to rescue his team in their Euro 2020 last 16 tie against England.
Wembley was still in celebratory mode after Raheem Sterling’s 75th minute opener when the Man City player’s wayward pass presented Havertz with the chance to put Muller through on goal.
The Bayern veteran, England’s torturer during their 4-2 defeat against Germany at the 2010 World Cup, looked certain to score but dragged his shot wide of Pickford’s right-hand post.
Muller’s error was compounded shortly afterwards when Harry Kane’s header confirmed a landmark win that sent England into the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Reacting to Muller’s shocking miss, Havertz said: ‘No (he doesn’t often miss those opportunities) but all offensive players had good chances so it’s not only about Thomas it’s about everybody the whole team.
‘We could’ve created more chances, we didn’t do that so it’s very tough to take that. England has a good squad, good players. We have them too of course and we are very disappointed to lose the game but we have to keep on going and it’s hard to take for us.’
Germany will now look to appoint their new manager after Joachim Low’s long reign finally came to an end in agonising circumstances.
- Mourinho reveals Didier Deschamps’ mistake that led to France’s Euro 2020 exit
- Neville & Keane point finger at Pogba after France’s Euros exit
On Low’s impending exit, Havertz added: ‘It is very hard for us he is for Germany the biggest manager of all-time. The whole country is proud of him, the players are proud of him.
‘The career he’s had is unbelievable and we are disappointed not to give him the best end. Of course he is a great manager and a great person for all of us.’
