Bastian Schweinsteiger is eager to right his red card wrongs when Germany take on Portugal.
Midfielder eager to atone for Croatia red card
Bastian Schweinsteiger is eager to right his red card wrongs when Germany take on Portugal in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.
The midfielder was dismissed for retaliating to a Jerko Leko challenge as frustrations boiled over late on in Germany's 2-1 defeat to Croatia in Group B last week.
Germany secured their place in the last eight with victory over Austria on Monday, a match in which Schweinsteiger - who has yet to start a game in Austria and Switzerland - served his automatic suspension.
But now Schweinsteiger is again available for selection, Germany boss Joachim Low has hinted that the 23-year-old will be given the opportunity to start against Portugal.
And Schweinsteiger acknowledges the need to atone for his red card, saying: "I recognise I made a mistake against Croatia.
Energy
"I will try to inject some energy and movement into our game and contribute to a German victory.
"I was frustrated not being in the initial line-up (at the start of the tournament) but what counts is to win.
"I want to be a decisive player, but I won't be dejected if I'm not playing."
However, Schweinsteiger - who scored twice as Germany defeated Portugal in the third-place play-off at the 2006 World Cup - admits he and his team-mates face a tough task in reaching the European Championship semi-finals.
"It (Portugal) is a star-studded team of players at top clubs, Ronaldo is a superb player, Deco is very good, they are stronger than they were two years ago," added Schweinsteiger.
"They are the top team of the tournament, it will be difficult to beat them, but we know what we can do."
