The industrious midfielder has highlighted the importance of having a solid backline if a team wants to perform well at the European Championship.
The Bayern Munich midfielder discovered the defensive side of his game a few seasons ago. Schweinsteiger has been playing in the deep lying playmaker/defensive midfield role for a while now. He slotted into this position just before
the 2010 World Cup, and formed a solid partnership with Sami Khedira.
The combative midfielder has prospered in this role and has put in some impressive performances. Although his goal scoring rate has dropped a bit but he has made it up with his assist rate. Schweinsteiger provided two crucial assists
for Mario Gomez’s goals in the match against Netherlands, as Die Mannschaft edged closer to the quarter finals.
The Bayern hard man knows the significance of having a good and settled back line. He cites the example of Barcelona and Spain’s defenders, and how big a role they play in setting up play with their excellent distribution. He believes
defenders’ positioning when their side is in possession of the ball plays a big part in how well placed they will be when their side loses the ball.
"If you look at the ideal example, Barcelona or Spain, you can see how good their defenders are at setting up, even while they still have possession. That is perfect defending," he is quoted as saying in an interview.
Die Nationalelf player is certain that a compact back four is crucial to a team that wants to do well and go far at the European Championship. In Schweinsteiger’s opinion, teams that perform well off the ball will be the hardest
to beat.
"The teams that defend well in this tournament will go far. In many situations when you are attacking, you already have to start thinking about what happens once the ball is lost,” he added.
Joachim Low’s men sit at the top of the Group B table, a group dubbed as the ‘Group of Death’. A draw with Denmark will seal their place in the quarter finals but they will have to be focused and avoid getting complacent. Morten
Olsen’s men are capable of springing a surprise as they have shown against Netherlands.
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