Germany conceded three goals against Paraguay, four in Washington against USA and another four versus Sweden, but Miroslav Klose sees no reason to panic, calling instead for calm and a dispassionate analysis. "Up to now, we've not had time to work intensively on team play," he is quoted as saying in the current edition of sports weekly kicker. "But we'll take it all on board and have a top-class defence."
The 35-year-old international knows there is still work to do: "It's true we’re conceding too many goals, but after all, we're set up to attack, and that's what makes us so strong overall."
In the 3-3 draw with Paraguay in Kaiserslautern, one gilt-edged opening came the Lazio striker’s way with 11 minutes played. It would have been an equaliser and also his 68th goal in 128 international appearances, but his delicate lob landed on the roof of the net. He will now attempt to equal Gerd Müller’s all-time goalscoring record when Germany face Austria in Munich on 6 September.
All pales before Brazil 2014
Klose made his international debut on 24 March 2001. Brazil next summer would be his fourth World Cup, and he is yearning to take part. "We have a superb team and fantastic young players," he enthused. "It's only a matter of time before Germany win a trophy."
"And naturally, it would be wonderful if it came as early as next year, because it'll be difficult for me after that," he continued. "Winning the trophy with the team is my absolute priority. If I could become a world champion in Brazil in 2014 with these lads it would be the greatest thing ever. Everything else is secondary."
Klose, a two-time winner of the DFB Fair Play medal, knows the team’s attitude will have to be right. "We'll approach this challenge with humility and always with huge respect for the ability of the other strong footballing nations," he insisted. The centre-forward is not convinced the so-called false nine is the only way forward: "I don't think our game is set up for us only to operate with midfielders," he argued, "I think we need an authentic front man, and several attacking players who get forward. If we only have players who follow up from the depths of midfield we’ll be too predictable."
Bundesliga return an option
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Germany conceded three goals against Paraguay, four in Washington against USA and another four versus Sweden, but Miroslav Klose sees no reason to panic, calling instead for calm and a dispassionate analysis. "Up to now, we've not had time to work intensively on team play," he is quoted as saying in the current edition of sports weekly kicker. "But we'll take it all on board and have a top-class defence."
The 35-year-old international knows there is still work to do: "It's true we’re conceding too many goals, but after all, we're set up to attack, and that's what makes us so strong overall."
In the 3-3 draw with Paraguay in Kaiserslautern, one gilt-edged opening came the Lazio striker’s way with 11 minutes played. It would have been an equaliser and also his 68th goal in 128 international appearances, but his delicate lob landed on the roof of the net. He will now attempt to equal Gerd Müller’s all-time goalscoring record when Germany face Austria in Munich on 6 September.
All pales before Brazil 2014
Klose made his international debut on 24 March 2001. Brazil next summer would be his fourth World Cup, and he is yearning to take part. "We have a superb team and fantastic young players," he enthused. "It's only a matter of time before Germany win a trophy."
"And naturally, it would be wonderful if it came as early as next year, because it'll be difficult for me after that," he continued. "Winning the trophy with the team is my absolute priority. If I could become a world champion in Brazil in 2014 with these lads it would be the greatest thing ever. Everything else is secondary."
Klose, a two-time winner of the DFB Fair Play medal, knows the team’s attitude will have to be right. "We'll approach this challenge with humility and always with huge respect for the ability of the other strong footballing nations," he insisted. The centre-forward is not convinced the so-called false nine is the only way forward: "I don't think our game is set up for us only to operate with midfielders," he argued, "I think we need an authentic front man, and several attacking players who get forward. If we only have players who follow up from the depths of midfield we’ll be too predictable."
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Bundesliga return an option
After the tournament in Brazil, the player sees himself taking a back seat on the international stage, but as of now he feels perfectly able to compete: "I'm feeling completely fit. If that wasn't the case, I'd be the first to admit it and I wouldn't put myself forward in any way. But I can still match the rest. I've completed every pre-season training session except one, and that’s very valuable for me."
Klose credits personal discipline for his long and productive career. "I’ve given up everything for it, because I've always lived and breathed football. I never went out and I've never consumed alcohol or nicotine. That's paying off for me now." At club level, the long-serving international feels he could carry on for a while yet, potentially in Germany. "Naturally, the Bundesliga is one of my options," he stated, "I can absolutely imagine ending my career in the Bundesliga."
