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Leon Goretzka says Germany are not setting any firm World Cup targets after two disappointing tournaments, but hopes Die Mannschaft can “make a good impression” in their upcoming UEFA Nations League games ahead of their trip to Qatar.
The Bayern Munich midfielder has won 41 caps for his country, scoring 14 goals, but has enjoyed limited tournament success with the national team, featuring in underwhelming campaigns at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.
Germany crashed out in the group stages in Russia in 2018 before being eliminated by England in the last 16 at the Euros last year, also missing out on qualifying for the Nations League semi-finals in 2020-21.
Goretzka, who missed Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph after suffering an injury in a pre-tournament friendly, recalled those negative experiences as he insisted Hansi 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 taken part in tournaments where we were considered one of the favourites and we failed quite a bit. Then there were tournaments where nobody expected us [to perform well] and we won.
“Basically, we are an absolute footballing nation with great successes in the past, and accordingly we have our expectations in such a competition.”
Germany have been drawn into a tricky Group E for the tournament, alongside Japan, Costa Rica or New Zealand, and Spain, having lost their last meeting with La Roja 6-0 in November 2020.
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.
“The opponents we have now are much more important,” he added. “These are top games at the very highest level.
“We haven’t had one under Hansi yet, so [with] many games against top opponents, which is why we made a good impression. Now we can prove that at another level, higher up.”
Meanwhile, at club level, Goretzka endured an injury-hit campaign with Bayern, 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 is targeting better things next term.
“We have a lot of things to improve. 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 important games – that wasn’t Bayern-like. Getting kicked out in the Champions League hasn’t happened to us against such an opponent in recent years.
“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.”
