Battered Schweinsteiger doubtful for Israel game

BERLIN - Agence France-Presse

Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger is doubtful for tomorrow’s Euro 2012 warm-up against Israel in Leipzig as he recovers from the effects of the Champions League final, coach Joachinm Löw said yesterday.

The midfielder is carrying a calf strain after his missed spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out against Chelsea in the final on May 19 helped hand the Blues their first European title at Bayern Munich’s expense.

Germany coach Joachim Löw says he is not sure whether the 27-year-old will play their final warm-up game, but is confident Schweinsteiger will be fit for the opening Group B match against Portugal in Lviv, Ukraine, on June 9.

“I will not use a battered player,” said Löw from Germany’s training camp in Tourrettes, France, as Schweinsteiger recovers from a demanding season.

“He is doing some individual training at the moment and I am sure he is physically and psychologically strong enough to put the injuries of last season behind him.”

Schweinsteiger is coming off the back of a tough season for Bayern having suffered a broken collarbone and torn ankle ligaments.

Germany lost 5-3 to Switzerland on May 26 in a friendly game.