Q & A: German coach Rudi Voeller

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Who are your key players?
Oliver Kahn has an important part to play. He's the best keeper in the world and has a lot of influence. Players listen to him and follow the example he sets.

Who will win the World Cup?
The favorites are Argentina, France, Brazil and Italy.

Who will be the surprise teams?
Nigeria and Cameroon may be revelations. Cameroon's individual quality, in particular, is superb.

Will the conditions affect you?
Of course. The heat and humidity are factors we'll have to adjust to.

What are your aims in the finals?
The initial aim is to get through the opening round, and, once there, you go from game to game. Anything is possible in a knockout system. On our way to winning at Italia '90, we beat Holland in the second round, but we could have lost that game.

Most of your squad is built on players from Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. Is it harder for players from other clubs to force their way in?
No. The deciding factor in my choice is individual performances.

Have Germany emerged stronger from having to go through the play-offs?
Yes. We all came closer together and improved because of the great pressure on us in the play-offs. I'm looking to us maintaining the form we showed against Ukraine.

Have you settled on your squad?
I have 17 or 18 names. But there's still room for players to make a late challenge for places.

Are you worried by Sebastian Deisler's long absence with a knee injury?
I'm convinced he will get back to his best form. There's no time limit for him to prove his fitness.

From World Soccer magazine.

 

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