Bierhoff: Fight for World Cup squad spots “hasn’t gotten smaller”

Munich (SID) Oliver Bierhoff expects the start of the World Cup year with the international double against Spain in Düsseldorf on March 23rd and four days later against Brazil in Berlin to see an intensified struggle for squad places in the World Cup. “I assume that every player wants to use the games to consolidate their position,” said the DFB national team director on Wednesday in Munich. “These are the last international matches before the nomination (of the provisional World Cup squad on May 15th, ed.), the competition has not become any smaller due to the Confederations Cup - that is exciting,” added Bierhoff. The selection of players for national coach Joachim Löw, who will announce his squad for the two tests on Friday, is bigger than ever. “When everyone is as fit as they are now, there has rarely been a smaller break in the squad,” said Bierhoff, who sees the team as “better positioned” than at the 2016 European Championship. Bierhoff once again made the players responsible for their mission to defend their title. “If we want to be successful, we can’t let up one percent,” said the 1996 European champion. “I don’t actually see a “secret weapon” for the World Cup squad, like David Odonkor was in 2006, the circle is more or less known," said Bierhoff. For the two March international matches, the 49-year-old hopes "that we will be properly tested and that it will become clear to us: We are not the sole favorite for the tournament." With a view to the expected comeback of Dortmund's Marco Reus in the DFB team, Bierhoff spoke of a "pleasing" development: "He has the qualities. The coaches have watched a few games. The most important thing he needs is health."

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Bierhoff: Fight for World Cup squad spots “hasn’t gotten smaller”

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