Key to Germany’s win over Ukraine, midfielder Toni Kroos believes Germany still have a long way to go if they want to be crowned European champions. 

The dynamic midfielder has revealed coach Joachim Low’s plans for his individual performance; he has been entrusted with bringing his dangerous attacking teammates into the game.

‘My role was to bring our game out from the back. I want to get our most dangerous players on the ball in good positions and it worked well tonight. Hopefully I’ll be able to continue in that vein,’ the Real Madrid star told Uefa.com.

Kroos, whose previous competitive fixture was in for Real Madrid as they beat Atletico Madrid to lift the Champions League trophy, is well aware the side have a long way to go.

‘All the Real Madrid players came into this tournament in great spirits after winning the Champions League. It’s great for me to have been able to keep that winning feeling tonight but we’re under no illusions – it was only the first game.’

The German believes his side will need to keep improving if they are to mount a serious challenge for the trophy.

‘We need to be a bit cleverer if we want to win this tournament but I’m confident. I think we dominated the first 25 minutes or so but over 90 minutes you’re always going to go through a spell where you don’t have as tight a grip on things.

‘Ukraine noticed that we weren’t finding our passes and pressed us higher up the pitch, forcing a couple of mistakes. We got it together in the end, though.’

Germany’s next game comes against Poland when the sides face off at the Stade de France on Thursday, June 16.

The game kicks off at 21:00.

Photo: Pascal Rossignol/Reuters