Scholl unimpressed by goal-scoring Gomez

Mario Gomez has come in for heavy criticism from former Germany midfielder Mehmet Scholl for his performance in the 1-0 Euro 2012 victory over Portugal.

The Bayern Munich striker headed the winner, moments before he was due to be replaced by Miroslav Klose, as Joachim Low’s men got off to a winning start, but Scholl was less than impressed with his all-round display.

“He had two or three actions – that was it,” said Scholl, who was working as a pundit for broadcaster ARD.

“I have seen him run more (than against Portugal), but seldom less.

“If he did much, much more work, he would get even more chances and score more goals.”

Scholl, who spent 15 years at Bayern as a player and won 36 caps for Germany, insisted his comments were not personal.

He said in the Bild newspaper: “There is an impression forming that I have something against Gomez. But that is absolutely not the case. I am of this team and Gomez is a part of it.”

Franz Beckenbauer claimed Germany played “like men” against the Portuguese, singling out goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, defender Mats Hummels and midfielder Mesut Ozil for special praise.

Writing in Bild, Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as a player and manager, said: “That was no magic trick, that was real man’s football. With tackles, with passion, with hunger for the fight. That was always the basis of all Germany’s European and world titles. Otherwise you win nothing.”

Beckenbauer claimed Neuer was “on the way to becoming the number one goalkeeper in the world”, the selection of the “uncomproming” Hummels was “spot-on” and Ozil was the most “eye-catching” German attacker.

He added: “Even more important is (coach) Jogi Low has seen that he can rely on every player.”

Next up for Germany are a Holland side looking to bounce back from their shock opening defeat to Denmark.

“Against us they are fighting for survival,” Beckenbauer added. “Against the strong Portuguese it was hard. On Wednesday it will be super hard.”