Muller not concerned over lack of goals for Germany

By foxsports
Published

Germany striker Thomas Muller insists he is not too concerned by his lack of goals at Euro 2016 ahead of Tuesday's clash with Northern Ireland.

Muller hit five goals as Germany won the World Cup two years ago, and he also contributed the same tally in the 2010 World Cup.

But the wait continues for the Bayern Munich forward's first goal after seven games over two European Championships.

"I hope I can score a goal, but as I said already before the tournament, it's not my main thing," Muller said, ahead of Germany's last Group C game at Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

"I hope we deliver a good game and that we'll win."

The 26-year-old arrived in France after his best season yet with his club after scoring 32 goals as Bayern claimed another Bundesliga and German Cup double.

In qualifying for Euro 2016, Muller netted nine of Germany's 24 goals, and he has scored 32 times in 73 internationals.

But he has cut an uncharacteristically frustrated figure in two games at Euro 2016 so far, a 2-0 win over Ukraine and a scoreless draw with Poland. Muller is yet to even have a goal scoring chance at the tournament.

Muller appeared calm at the team's team base at Evian-les-Bains over the past week, and was in a typically jocular mood on Sunday, when he considered the role that chance plays in football.

"Because it looks good in theory or the drawing board, it doesn't mean that it'll work out effortlessly in reality. A football game is very complex," Muller said.

"A football game is more than just about making decisions. That's why you can't say, 'We planned it well, we trained well' - of course we trained well. But there's the impression that because someone in charge says something will happen, there's an expectation, yeah, then it's already done. Football is different because it's not clear beforehand how it will go.

"You have to stay hungry and keep going where it hurts, to try and get to the ball a step quicker than the opponent. Regardless of whether you're praised to the heavens or a bit criticized, you shouldn't pay too much attention to either."