Lahm warns England of German quality

(GSM) – Germany captain Philipp Lahm has warned England of the quality of the German squad ahead of their match on Sunday. Lahm claims that the current German team is the best he has ever played in.

After beating Australia 4-0 in their opening match, Joachim Low’s men were defeated by Serbia before beating Ghana to book themselves a second-round fixture with old rivals England.

And Lahm believes that a talented and young Germany can top England on Sunday.

When asked about a previous statement he made about the quality of the German squad, Lahm responded: “This statement stands 100 per cent. There’s no reason for me to change that statement because I train with these lads every day.

“[The squad has] got a lot of quality, a lot of talent, and everybody knows it’s still a developing team, still on a learning curve – which is why I think, with hindsight, it was very important that we didn’t win all our group games clearly and without going through the odd difficult moment.

“I think it was a good thing for us to suffer at least for a while in the games.”

Lahm was asked about Franz Beckenbauer’s words in which the German legend criticized Engalnd’s playing scheme and branded them “stupid” for finishing second in their group behind USA.

“Truth be told, I never knew, because we don’t hear a lot about what’s happening back home and what Beckenbauer says and doesn’t say,” said the Bayern Munich full-back.

“Let me just say that we know that English players have good qualities. They are very good players, but we will be well prepared.

“We know perfectly well that they play the opposite to kick and rush, and in Wayne Rooney they have an excellent striker who, if he gets the ball into his feet, he is dynamite, he is quicksilver… but we’ll be very well prepared.”