Servus Basti! The Germany national team gave captain Bastian Schweinsteiger a worthy send-off together with the fans at Mönchengladbach’s Borussia-Park on Wednesday evening. The World Champions were 2-0 winners over Finland in their final friendly before 2018 World Cup qualification begins.
30,121 spectators came to Gladbach to watch the skipper’s farewell match, after he announced his decision to retire from international football last month. Many familiar faces were also in attendance, including former Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes and fellow retiring player Lukas Podolski. His current teammates also gave him a fitting goodbye, as goals from Max Meyer, a Silver medal winner at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and Mesut Özil earned Germany a comfortable win against the Finnish visitors.
Löw opts for youthful line-up
It was the 121st and final cap for the leader in Joachim Löw’s team, and he was joined by a host of youngsters. In front of Marc-André ter Stegen in goal was a back three of EURO 2016 breakthrough star Joshua Kimmich, Olympic medallist and debutant Niklas Süle and new Arsenal signing Shkodran Mustafi. Karim Bellarabi, Meyer and Jonas Hector joined Schweinsteiger in midfield, with Kevin Volland, Mario Götze and Julian Brandt leading the line. Despite the 56 caps that BVB returnee Götze had under his belt going into the game, Schweinsteiger’s total appearance tally of 120 still outweighed all of his teammates combined (117).
Shortly before kick-off, a tifo put together by the Fan Club Nationalmannschaft was revealed and Schweinsteiger was honoured by DFB president Reinhard Grindel, as well as general secretary Dr. Friedrich Curtius. After the big screen showed poignant moments from the captain’s Germany career, he addressed the fans in the stadium. “Thank you to everyone for coming. It means so much to me,” said the 32-year-old as he fought back tears. “It has been a huge honour to play for Germany, and a massive honour to play for you, the fans.”
Every Schweinsteiger touch cheered
Schweinsteiger could do no wrong on the pitch, with the fans roaring with delight whenever he picked up possession. The departing captain even created the first chance of the game, playing a perfectly weighted pass into Bellarabi’s path, but Volland couldn’t quite get on the end of his cross. An energetic Max Meyer and a towering Mustafi also had chances to breaking the deadlock. However, it was the Finns themselves who came closest to opening the scoring, albeit for Germany. Paulus Arajuuri sliced a clearance towards his own goal, only for the post to come to his rescue. The chances were coming at just one end and Mario Götze arguably should have had Die Mannschaft in front, but the Finland defenders scrambled back in time to block his effort after he had rounded the keeper. Eintracht Frankfurt stopper Lukas Hradecky then made a fine save just before half time to deny Niklas Süle a debut goal from a low, curling strike.
There was little to see from the away side going forward, something that didn’t change in the second half either, despite the introduction of former Schalke man Teemu Pukki. Germany, on the other hand, continued to threaten in the final third and the opening goal finally came in the 55th minute. A superb long ball over the top from Joshua Kimmich found Mario Götze, and his low cross was left by Volland, allowing Max Meyer to ghost in at the back post and turn the ball home. Götze could have made it 2-0 ten minutes later, but another last-ditch block denied him.
Servus, Basti!
Then came the 67th minute, as Joachim Löw brought off his captain for one final time and introduced Julian Weigl. Everyone inside Borussia-Park rose to their feet and applauded the 2014 World Cup hero, as Schweinsteiger left the pitch to mark the end of an era. Basti waved goodbye to the fans and hugged the entire bench.
The conclusion to a memorable night and a good performance from a new-look team came from Mesut Özil, as he scored Germany’s second to wrap up the win in the 77th minute. Next up for Die Mannschaft is the opening game of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign against Norway in Oslo on Sunday. However, it will take place without the Bastian Schweinsteiger. Team player. Leader. Role Model. Captain. Legend.