German legend Franz Beckenbauer has claimed that only his German national team will be capable of stopping the Brazilians at the upcoming World Cup 2014. Brazil are regarded as the favourites to win the title due to the home support behind them. However, there are also other teams capable of achieving this glory and this includes the likes of Germany and Spain. Spain come into the World Cup as the defending champions while Germany have come under criticism for the repeated failures in major tournaments.
As a result, there is a lot of pressure on the young German team and manager Joachim Loew. Despite this, Beckenbauer claims that Germany will be able to lift the World Cup title, which would join them in the elite rank. Currently, Brazil have the world record when it comes to most number of World Cup titles won – five. Despite facing a tough says that includes the likes of Portugal and the USA, Beckenbauer says that Germany cannot only progress from the group, but also win the tournament itself.
The first major tournament for the Germans will be against Portugal, who have the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani in their ranks. If Germany win this match, then they would straightaway be considered as favourites for the knockout stages.
“I have seen Brazil play devastatingly well during the Confederations Cup. And they will be doing the same during the World Cup as well. Brazil can truly be challenged only by the Germans. However, I know that the teams that have won the Confederations Cup have never won the World Cup in the same year. So, in that respect, they have some problems. Otherwise, they will start as clear favourites. We have really a good side with (Bastian) Schweinsteiger and (Manuel) Neuer,” said the honorary president of Bayern.