Muller motivated by Euro 2016 heartache

Thomas Muller hopes Germany s semi-final disappointment at Euro 2016 can help to inspire them to greater heights.

Joachim Low s world champions appeared well-placed to add the European crown to an impressive body of work over recent years, but bowed out as Antoine Griezmann scored a goal in each half to seal a 2-0 win for hosts France in Marseille.

France lost 1-0 to Portugal after extra time in the final, while Bayern Munich forward Muller – who failed to find the net during the tournament – wants Germany to build on lessons learned for their 2018 World Cup defence in Russia.

Everyone saw the Euros, we were close but in the semi-final it just didn t work out, he said.

But you need to take the positives with you to the future, get new motivation from it. I m just happy we can breathe now.

If we look at how the tournament went, we can say we left the tournament with pride, although we didn t reach what we wanted. But that s football.

Portugal won the title in a way that might be surprising in the end.

Football is a game with tight results in which you don t need to be the dominant team, if you re a bit lucky and make the right decision at the right time then you can be as successful as well. That s what the tournament showed.

Muller was impressed by the form of centre-back Mats Hummels at the tournament.

Hummels, who was suspended for the loss to France after collecting two yellow cards across the preceding five matches, agreed terms on a switch from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich.

I congratulated him on July 1 that he s officially at Bayern now, Muller said.

Sure we had some fun. Everything was decided before the Euros. We are really looking forward.

Mats played great at the Euros. That s very positive for us.

Hummels and Muller will be coached by Italian great Carlo Ancelotti next season following Pep Guardiola s departure to Manchester City.

Well we spoke in English, said Muller on his initial meeting with Ancelotti. He s a very pleasant guy, just as you d expect.

I spoke with Toni Kroos, who worked with him in Madrid. I m looking forward to working together with Ancelotti.

How the training will be, I can only answer that in four weeks. But in general it was a good first talk. I think the impression I had of him was confirmed.

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