Schweinsteiger say he's fitter than at 2014 World Cup

The Manchester United midfielder came on as a second half substitute in Germany’s 2-0 friendly win win over Hungary on Saturday and said the run out helped.

"Twenty-five to 30 minutes has done me good. But 90 minutes is too much for the first game," he said. "I am fitter going into the Euros than I was two years ago going into the World Cup."

The national team skipper also admitted that Germany’s tournament opener – against Ukraine on June 12 - would come too soon for him, a sentiment his coach seemed to agree with.

"He hasn't got any playing rhythm at the moment, so we'll have to see," said Löw when asked if Schweinsteiger will play in the world champions' opening game.

Löw’s side has other injury concerns a week out from their opening game, notably first choice center back Mats Hummels. The defender, who recently agreed to join Bayern Munich from Borussia Dortmund, will miss the Ukraine game and is a doubt for Germany’s second fixture against Poland on June 16 in Paris, Löw saying Germany would have to “see how Hummels gets on."

The German coach was pleased with his side’s performance on Saturday after a shock loss to Slovakia in their previous fixture and was particularly happy to keep the team’s first clean sheet in a year.

"The victory gives us stability and a good feeling for next week," he said. "It was also important to keep a clean sheet. The team has come together somewhat and went about their job in a very concentrated way, but there are still a couple of things we have to fine-tune."

Despite the routine nature of the win, there were a few moments of concern for Germany, with key men Sami Khedira and Jerome Boateng both receiving treatment. But Löw alleviated any injury concerns.

"We took Sami Khedira off at the start of the second half as a precaution, Boateng had a pressed nerve, but was able to play on," he said.

Euro 2016 kicks off on Friday night, when hosts France take on Romania in the Stade de France, Paris.

mp/dv (AFP/dpa)