Lack of goals not concerning Muller

05/07/2016

Thomas Muller has vowed that he will not care if he fails to score in France so long as Germany return home as European champions.

The Bayern Munich forward has twice scored five goals at World Cup finals, in 2010 and 2014, but he has incredibly failed to find the net at a European Championship so far.

That unlikely record has continued in France, with Muller denied by the woodwork, exceptional goalkeeping and his own poor finishing at times.

His woe in front of goal continued in Germany’s quarter-final win over Italy when he missed his penalty in the shootout, becoming the first German in 34 years to miss in a shootout and ending a streak of 22 converted penalties in doing so.

Muller insists he has no problem with remaining goalless, if the world champions can add European success to their CV without them.

“I will try again, and if it happens it happens,” he said. “I might not get the best ratings in media if we win the final without a goal of mine, but I will still take the trophy back home.”

After his miss in the shootout against Italy, Muller has also ruled out taking any penalties that Germany might win in their semi-final with France or a potential final against Wales or Portugal.

He did vow however that he would step up once more in a shootout should he be needed by his team. “I will not be taking any penalties during a match in the next two weeks,” Muller said.

“I will work on my technique, and come back stronger in one, maybe two months. I will yield to others. “If we go to penalties again and we need someone, I will be there, but I won’t force myself on it.”

Germany are 2.75 to win Euro 2016 while Muller can be backed at 81.00 to finish as top goalscorer in the tournament.