Bastian Schweinsteiger tipped to help Germany win Euro 2016

Crunch Sports Staff
in Soccer 17 Aug 2021

Bastian Schweinsteiger (credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Bastian Schweinsteiger’s recent move to Manchester United can help world champions Germany win Euro 2016 next summer, according to German legend Lothar Matthaus.

Schweinsteiger elected to leave Bayern Munich earlier this summer, moving to Manchester after struggling to hold down a regular place at the Bundesliga champions under Pep Guardiola.

And, according to Matthaus, the 31-year-old’s decision to leave will be a positive in France for Joachim Low’s team.

The former Germany international believes that Schweinsteiger in top-form would be a huge asset next summer, just as he was at the World Cup in Brazil.

“Schweinsteiger is such a crucial player, as can be seen from the World Cup final against Argentina last year,” Matthaus said.

“Not very many teams have been able to win the World Cup and the European Championship back-to-back and the stable presence of an in-form Schweinsteiger will be a huge asset for Germany towards emulating France and Spain, whose midfield stability was a huge contributing factor.”

Matthaus, Germany’s most capped player of all time, feels that moving to Old Trafford and playing under Louis van Gaal again will be a big benefit for the German skipper.

“He is at a world-class team with a wonderful coach and will be training with some skilful teammates and competing against strong English teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea,” he added.

“Therefore, the chances of Germany having an in-form captain for Euro 2016 are higher.”

Of Schweinsteiger’s decision to move to England, Matthaus told ESPN: “I hope he adapts well to the Premier League and is not jaded by next summer. The Premier League is very different from the Bundesliga in that it does not have a winter break.”