Mesut Ozil highlighted Bastian Schweinsteiger's importance in Germany's Euro 2016 campaign after laying on a goal for the Manchester United midfielder in Sunday's win over Ukraine.
Schweinsteiger, 31, has struggled for form and fitness in his first season in the Premier League and at one stage there were doubts about whether the Germany captain would be fit enough to feature for the world champions at this month's European Championship in France.
But the former Bayern Munich midfielder made a decisive impact in Germany's first Group C fixture against Ukraine in Lille on Sunday, finishing off a sweeping counter-attack to make it 2-0 in injury time.
Schweinsteiger had only come on in the final minute of normal time but three minutes later he got his 24th international goal from Ozil's perfect left-wing cross.
Arsenal playmaker Ozil, 27, said it was vital that Schweinsteiger rediscovered some form in order for Germany to challenge for the Euro 2016 title.
"I think it was important for him," Ozil told reporters after the game in Lille. "He was injured for a long time and with that goal he'll probably gain a lot more self-confidence.
"But the coach has also often said it -- we need every player. It's a long tournament and we need everyone to be fit.
"So we're happy that Bastian got a goal because he's an important player for us."