Ozil has raised his game at Real: Loew

Lviv (Ukraine), June 8 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Germany's attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil has raised his game under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, national team coach Joachim Loew said Friday.

The 23-year-old has grown into one of Europe's top playmakers since switching to the Spanish giants from Werder Bremen in 2010, a change not lost on Loew.

"In these two years at Real Madrid, he's really developed as a player," Loew said Friday ahead of Germany's Euro 2012 opener against Portugal here Saturday.

"He has just fantastic skills, and he has also developed as a person to become more mature," Loew added.

Ozil has described this past season as his best ever after helping Real to their first title since 2009.

He has played for the national team since 2009, scoring eight times in 33 games. He has 10 goals in 71 appearances for Real.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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