We cannot win this World Cup, because we are not at that level yet. For us, we have to play the game of our lives seven times to win the tournament.

We can only win by giving everything and being ready to defeat the adversary with fiery aggression.

Personally, I need a high level of physical fitness in order to feel at ease.

Based on history the expectations are simply the highest, it kind of could become a burden for you or it could be something that you are really proud of, you know so I take the second one.

We Germans are so good at penalties because we have had to rebuild our country twice.

If there's a national-team player, he has to do extra work. He has to do extra weeks, and he can't go on vacation even if he says: 'Well, but I'm supposed now to have six weeks off.' If he comes and says that, then I give him a hug and say: 'Have fun the six weeks, but don't come back here.'

The player can only compete with the best internationally when they've committed themselves to this goal. They have to be properly supported until that point.