Germany star dismisses England result as 'only Nations League' after Munich stalemate

Planet Sport writer
8 June 2022

Thomas Muller and Declan Rice battling it out as Germany draw with England in Nations League

Germany veteran Thomas Muller does not seem to hold the Nations League in high regard, as he revealed after the draw with England.

Thomas Muller dismissed England's draw with Germany, telling the media after the full-time whistle that it was 'only the Nations League.'

England travelled to Munich to face Germany in Group A3 of the competition, which was introduced to minimise the amount of international friendlies.

Jonas Hofmann opened the scoring for the hosts, but they were pegged back by a late Harry Kane penalty - his 50th goal for England in just 71 matches.

Muller was unconcerned, though, with him clearly hot holding a lot of respect for the Nations League as a competition.

"It was a good game," Muller said after the game. "We're still only play Nations League, which are basically friendly matches packed into a tournament mode.

"It's all about the feeling. If this game was repeated, we'd come out winners more often than not."

Germany coach Hansi Flick, meanwhile, agreed with Muller about his side's performance.

However, he was less complimentary about the decision to penalise Nico Schlotterbeck for a foul on Harry Kane which resulted in England's late penalty.

🗣️ Hansi Flick: "We played really well but didn't reward ourselves. Perhaps we ought to have scored a second, but we were up against a dangerous England side who have real attacking quality."#DieMannschaft #GERENG pic.twitter.com/ptLYkrTaen
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 7, 2022

"I'm proud that we pulled off such a performance," Flick said.

"After the four [Nations League] games we make a conclusion and see how far we are. September will then be the month for fine-tuning.

On the award of the penalty, Flick added: "I think Schlotterbeck didn't even see Kane coming.

"He was watching in a completely different direction. I spoke to the referee after the game and had a lively discussion but it is something you just have to grin and bear it - it is a decision, full stop."