Bierhoff targets World Cup glory

Oliver Bierhoff believes Germany’s national team can win the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

In an interview with Focus the national team’s general manager praised the quality of Germany’s attacking options and hinted that coach Joachim Low may try out a new system before the World Cup.

“Of course, we want and can win the title,” the 44-year-old said.

“Because our team has many highly talented young players with enormous potential and we have learned from the mistakes of the 2012 European Championship.

Germany are rivalling world and European champions Spain as the trendsetters in the modern game, after radical changes in their approach to youth football have wielded outstanding results.

The success of their club teams in Europe – Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Schalke have progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners – means there is now extra pressure on the national team to win a trophy.

“Due to the excellent performance of Dortmund, Schalke and Bayern Munich in the Champions League and the passage of the four German clubs in the Europa League, the demands on the national team (have) certainly risen further,” Bierhoff said.

And he hinted Low may make changes to the system they play to take advantage of having such talented players such as Mario Gotze, Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Julian Draxler.

“Maybe we can develop a new game system that can replace the successful models of Spain or Barcelona,” Bierhoff said.

“By 2014 there is still plenty of time to try some things.”