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Following Bayern and BVB Success, Germany on Track for Glory in World Cup 2014
Published: May 28, 2013
Instead of a Champions League Clasico final between Real Madrid and Barcelona in 2013, fans were treated to a riveting "Klassiker" between Bundesliga sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. And the events at Wembley that day may have ushered in a new era.
Heading into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Germany will be favorites to lift the trophy.
Individually, Joachim Low's side has changed very little from that which suffered a shock defeat to Italy in the Euro 2012 semifinals. But the individuals who made up the youngest side to compete in Poland and Ukraine have changed drastically.
At Euro 2012, Low had a squad that still lacked confidence and experience. Marco Reus had never played international football at club level and was not trusted to start. Mats Hummels played a brilliant tournament before the semifinal, but he—like Ilkay Gundogan and Mario Gotze—was part of a Dortmund side that failed in the Champions League.
Germany's Bayern backbone entered the tournament demoralized, having finished runners-up in three competitions. Bastian Schweinsteiger was not fully fit following an ankle injury, Thomas Muller was out of form, and Toni Kroos sulked all month as he sat on the bench. Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng were absolute flops.
Heading into 2014, Low is expected to use almost exactly the same squad that he took to Poland and Ukraine. But his best 23 will be vastly improved based on the events that have taken place since 2012.
Having claimed Champions League glory in 2013, Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm are no longer "nearly men." The Germany captain and vice-captain can expect to be full of confidence next summer, as will the likes of Manuel Neuer and Muller as they ente...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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