After two unsuccessful World Cups, Leon Goretzka claims that Germany is not setting any concrete World Cup ambitions.
But, ahead of their journey to Qatar, he hopes Die Mannschaft can “create a positive impression” in their forthcoming UEFA Nations League games.
The midfielder for Bayern Munich has 41 caps for his country, scoring 14 goals.
But he has enjoyed limited tournament success with the national team.
He participated in unimpressive campaigns at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.
Germany was ousted in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup in Russia before being defeated in England’s last 16 of the 2018 Euros. It will also lose out on qualifying for the Nations League semi-finals in 2020-21.
Goretzka was injured in a pre-tournament friendly and missed Germany’s World Cup success in 2014.
He was Recalling those negative experiences as he insisted Flick’s side had yet to set any targets for their trip to Qatar.
Asked by Sky Sports Germany whether winning the tournament was a realistic aim, the 27-year-old said:
“Answering the question doesn’t do us much good.
“We’ll play our Nations League games first and see that we make a good impression.
“And can go to the World Cup free.
“I’ve already participated in tournaments where we were one of the favourites, and we failed quite a bit.
“Then there were tournaments where nobody expected us [to perform well], and we won.
“We are an absolute footballing nation with great successes in the past.
“And accordingly, we have our expectations in such a competition.”
Germany has been placed in a difficult Group E for the event, which includes Japan, Costa Rica or New Zealand, and Spain, whom they last saw in November 2020, losing 6-0.
Before that, Flick’s side face several tough Nations League fixtures, including a home clash with England and a double-header against European champions Italy, and Goretzka believes those contests will provide Germany with a real test after Flick won eight of his first nine games at the helm.
He added:
“The opponents we have now are much more critical.
“These are top games at the very highest level.
“We haven’t had one under Hansi yet, so [with] many games against top opponents, so we made a good impression.
“Now we can prove that at another level, higher up.”
Meanwhile, Goretzka endured an injury-hit campaign with Bayern at the club level.
Making just 19 league appearances as Julian Nagelsmann’s men won the Bundesliga title.
Fewer than fellow midfielders Marcel Sabitzer (25), Joshua Kimmich (28), and Jamal Musiala (30).
Despite their domestic dominance, the midfielder said Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final exit against Villarreal meant the team’s season “wasn’t satisfactory” and targeted better things next term.
“We have a lot of things to improve. And we played a pretty good, if not excellent, first half of the season. We were in the flow then,” he added.
“You can’t say that about the second half of the season. We weren’t up to par in the crucial games – that wasn’t Bayern-like. In recent years, getting kicked out in the Champions League hasn’t happened to us against such an opponent.
“That’s why this season overall wasn’t satisfactory, but that’s what makes many in the club extremely motivated to do better next year.”
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