Germany wasted too many goal chances as they were held to a goalless draw with Ukraine on Monday in their penultimate test before the Euro 2024 on home soil.
Germany's best chance to find the net came in the 61st minute, when debutant Maximilian Beier smashed the ball against the crossbar.
Ukraine could have broken the deadlock in the first half but Roman Yaremchuk was denied in the 38th by a stunning save from Manuel Neuer, who was playing his first game for Germany since the 2022 World Cup.
"It's a great feeling. I missed this and I'm happy to be back with the national team. Unfortunately we didn't reward ourselves after the several goal chances but I hope it will be different in the group stage," the goalkeeper told broadcasters ARD.
Neuer suffered a season-ending leg fracture shortly after the World Cup and the expected comeback in March had to be postponed after he picked up an injury in training.
Key players still missing
Coach Julian Nagelsmann made further two changes to his starting line-up after wins against France and the Netherlands in March. The Real Madrid duo of Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger were replaced by Pascal Gross and Waldemar Anton respectively.
Kroos and Rüdiger, as well as Borussia Dortmund's Niclas Füllkrug and Nico Schlotterbeck were not available after they played the Champions League final last Saturday.
This is Germany's second draw with Ukraine in over a year. In 2023, they drew 3-3 under then coach Hansi Flick.
Before their opening game at the Euro 2024 against Scotland on June 14, Germany have a final tune-up game against Greece on Friday.
Germany control game but fail to convert chances
Germany controlled the first half, but had difficulties with the final pass and creating clear goal chances.
In the 15th minute, Pascal Gross found Ilkay Gündogan with a crucial pass, but the Germany captain couldn't complete the header just a few metres from the goalkeeper.
Florian Wirtz fired the ball over the crossbar in the 20th, before Gündogan recovered the ball inside the box and tried a one-two with Kai Havertz just a few minutes later, but the play didn't work.
Jamal Musiala was fouled near the box but the resulting dangerous free-kick brought nothing, with Robert Andrich firing the ball over the crossbar.
Neuer made a huge save to deny Yaremchuk from close range in the 38th as Ukraine had the best chance of the half.
Debutant Maximilian Beier makes good impression
Changes during the break and early in the second half brought some freshness to the German team.
Substitute Deniz Undav had his effort from the penalty spot blocked by Oleksandr Svatok in the 56th in what could have been a great opportunity to break the deadlock.
In his first international match, Maximilian Beier had the best chance of the game with a first-touch finish, which was smashed against the crossbar in the 61st.
Two minutes later, he controlled the ball with his chest before shooting it to the goal, but he was denied by keeper Anatoliy Trubin, who also stopped Chris Führich in the 78th.
Germany fans held their breath in the 90th when Andrey Yarmolenko dribbled his way into the box and found a tight angle to strike the ball towards the goal, but Neuer was once again there to make the save.
Undav had on last great chance for Germany in stoppage-time, but failed to beat Trubin.
"Unfortunate that we didn't score a goal. Maxi Beier almost scored, he did everything right, but didn't have luck," substitute Thomas Müller told ARD.
Team-mate Joshua Kimmich added: "We played a very good game, but the goals were unfortunately missing."
Kimmich, however, took some positives from the match.
"It's always difficult to score against an opponent who sits deep in their own defence but we still had many good chances," he said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended the match and said before the kick-off that he hopes the Euro 2024 is "a great football festival for Europe."
After the game, he visited the team's dressing room.
"He said that he's fingers are crossed, he wished us a lot of success, said that the country stands united behind us and gave us a good feeling," coach Julian Nagelsmann said.