Vidosic warns cocky Germans

[the_gun]

Australia midfielder Dario Vidosic believes Germany could be hit with a sucker punch by the Socceroos if it underestimates Pim Verbeek’s men in their World Cup opener on 14 June.

The German-based 21-year-old, who has four caps and is one of Verbeek’s chosen ones for the 23-man squad for South Africa, suspects that Joachim Low’s men may already believe they have three Group D points in the vault.

"We love teams who think like that because it works in our favour," Vidosic told The World Game.

"There’s been a lot of talk about how well they are going to do among the people in Germany and the expectations are high.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they are actually a little over confident right now going into their match against us.

“They have never lost a first game at the World Cup. They went through their qualifying campaign without really breaking a sweat and they are full of self belief.

“But we’re happy with that because we rate ourselves pretty highly also and we thrive against teams that maybe think they don’t have to do too much to beat us.”

Vidosic signed with Bundesliga battlers Nurnberg three years ago, and has just completed a five-month loan spell with second tier MSV Duisburg, for whom he scored his first goal two weeks back.

He feels Germany could struggle to score goals at the World Cup – with their three main strikers firing blanks for most of the season or simply not getting limited first team action.

“That’s an area of concern to them," he added. “While Lukas Podolski has a record of almost a goal every other game for Germany, he has managed only three or four goals all year in the Bundesliga and Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez have been on the bench a lot for Bayern Munich and that’s not the best preparation for a World Cup.

“I think they have a lot of work to do in that regard and it has to be their weakest link right now.”

Vidosic has dubbed Group D the group of death and rates Serbia as a significant danger ahead of Ghana and Germany as a threat to Australia.

“They do have that element of self destruct about them if things don’t go their way but they finished top of their group ahead of France," he said.

"You look at players like Nemanja Vidic, Branislav Ivanovic and Milos Krasic and you have real quality there.

"I don’t think they will play like they did at the last World Cup when Argentina put six past them. I feel they are more dangerous than Germany.”

Vidosic says African Cup of Nations finalist Ghana will also provide a muscular and athletic challenge and is praying that Chelsea superstar Michael Essien cannot overcome his injury worries in time to face Australia on June 19.

“He hasn’t been playing lately and hopefully that will continue," Vidosic said.

Vidosic has been a minor revelation in recent weeks at the club level in an unfamiliar role at right back

“Basically now I can play almost every position except centre back,” said the former Brisbane Roar player who is expected to return to parent club Nurnberg next season.

“The last couple of games I played at right back. I’ve played defensive midfield, attacking midfield, wide on the right or just behind the strikers in a free role.

“It’s definitely a plus for my game and it gives coaches the knowledge that I am very adaptable.”

[BADA BING]

ease up tiger, just worry about playing the ball

[Chelsea4thewin]

what a tool, just focus on ur game

you have not proven yourself at club or international level

i think every german player has

[Ollo Ollo]

Germany 4 - Aussie 0.

[Blotto]

yeah... I cant see us taking anything from the Germany game...

[Red-4-Life]

ease up tiger, just worry about playing the ball