Marco Reus feels that if Germany can find their rhythm at the 2018 World Cup then the holders will take some stopping.
Die Mannschaft are currently at a training camp in Eppan in northern Italy as Joachim Low’s squad prepare for friendlies against Austria on June 2 and Saudi Arabia on June 8.
Germany will start the defence of their trophy in Russia against Mexico in Moscow on June 17 as they look to progress from Group F, which also includes Sweden and South Korea.
Tougher challenges are likely to await should Germany, one of the perennial pre-tournament favourites, later plot a safe passage towards a return to the Luzhniki Stadium for the final on July 15.
Borussia Dortmund winger Reus believes the squad have the credentials to go all the way once again.
“Going into the World Cup as reigning champions is obviously never easy,” he said.
Nice to see @woodyinho back in these threads š©šŖš#DieMannschaft #ZSMMN pic.twitter.com/CYDhYvKM2d
ā Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) May 24, 2018
“I’m sure that if the team finds its rhythm and takes on board the way we want to play, there’s a lot going in Germany’s favour.
“But there’s also no point in already speculating about who we could face in the quarter-finals. No one should underestimate our group with Mexico, South Korea and Sweden, as a lot will be demanded of us in those games.
“Over the course of the tournament, we’ll definitely have to win at least one or two really close games that will be decided by centimetres or an individual.
“But that’s what football is all about, especially at a World Cup. As a player, I want to be on the pitch for those kinds of games.”
Reus marked his return from a long-term injury with seven goals in 11 games for Dortmund – and he intends to make a major impact with Germany at the World Cup.
General manager Oliver Bierhoff has warned Germany against complacency.
“I definitely want to help the team on the pitch. When the tournament starts, I’ll be 29. I know what I’m capable of,” Reus added on www.dfb.de.
“The coach will decide who plays and every player has to respect his decisions. Like in every tournament, for every individual and for us as a team, it’ll come down to fine details.”
Germany’s general manager Oliver Bierhoff warned that there can be no complacency from the squad in Russia.
He said at a press conference on Friday: “We all feel like doing something great, but the team is aware this will be the toughest World Cup, because we will be the hunted.
“Every other team can only win against us, and will enjoy putting us on the back foot. We can only survive in Russia if we start with a clear objective from day one.”
