Germany coach Joachim Loew has called on his players to “embarrass” their opponents during the World Cup.
The Germans open their campaign against Australia in Durban on Sunday before going on to face Ghana and Serbia in their other Group D matches (Germany 2/9 to qualify from Group D).
“We want to be able to embarrass opponents with our playing skills,” said Loew.
“We couldn’t have done any more up to this point. That’s why my conscience is clear and I have a really good feeling about the tournament.”
Loew, who took over from Jurgen Klinsman after Germany’s unsuccessful 2006 campaign, led Die Mannschaft to the final of Euro 2008 and Loew will be looking to carry on their success by winning their fourth tournament after coming out on top in 1954, 1974 and 1990.
Germany go into the tournament on the back of a string of 3-0 victories against Malta, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Loew is confident his side can carry this form into the tournament.
“The team has been enthusiastic and ready to learn,” he added. “Now we are just correcting small errors. We are going into the tournament well prepared.”
Amongst the players Loew is placing his trust in is striker Miroslav Klose (33/1 for top goalscorer) who needs six goals in the tournament to become the highest scorer in the history of the World Cup. Klose was only a bit-part player in Bayern Munich’s double winning season which saw them win the German League and Cup as well as losing in the final of the Champions League.
However, he has remained a stalwart of the German side throughout qualifying and Loew believes the big striker is rediscovering the form that saw him win the Golden Boot in 2006.
“He (Klose) told me that he felt a lot better,” said Loew. “He was very agile, quick in his actions in training.
“He’s slowly getting his form back, and he’s getting fresher physically as well. Miro can still be very important to us.”
Klose is expected to start up-front on his own for the Germans against the Socceroos with support coming from young playmaker Memut Ozil. Ozil is one of a number of youngsters in line for their World Cup debuts, with midfilders Thomas Muller and Sam Khedira hoping for a start as well as new Manchester City signing Jerome Boateng who is looking to partner Per Mertesacker in the heart of the German defence.
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