Germany have enough quality to become a dominant force in football again but what they currently miss is their strength in defence, which helped them win four World Cups, coach Hansi Flick said after they were knocked out on Thursday.

Germany finally won their first group game in Qatar with a chaotic 4-2 victory over Costa Rica. But Japan’s shock upset over Spain saw Flick’s men finish third on goal difference and exit the tournament in the first round — just as they did in 2018.

When asked what Germany needed to be considered among the world’s elite again, Flick said they needed to take a leaf out of Spain’s book.

“We do have players with top clubs and we do have the quality. For the future of German football, we need to train differently,” Flick told reporters.

“For years we’ve been talking about new goalkeepers and wingbacks... but what was always good was that we defended well. We need the basics (to be right).

“Spain are good at training young players, they know their tactics very well. In the next 10 years, we need to focus on the new generation of footballers.”

Germany scored only two goals before Thursday’s game and although Flick did not want to “look for excuses”, he admitted one of the reasons for their early exit was a lack of efficiency in front of goal.

While the team struggled as a whole, there was life in and around the final third thanks to the energetic Jamal Musiala.

“It’s difficult to single out one player but it’s unfortunate such a player like Jamal cannot play anymore in the tournament,” Flick said. “His skills, his one-on-ones, he’s outstanding. In the next couple of years, we do have talent (coming through), we really have to focus on the training methods.”

Mid-season Cup taking its toll: Rice

Doha: When even Declan Rice admits a mid-season World Cup is proving physically challenging, it’s time to take note. The workhorse England midfielder said he was feeling the strain after playing three games already in Qatar, with a match against Senegal in the round of 16 coming up on Sunday.

“You know what? It’s been a little bit tough on the legs,” said Rice, who played the entirety of his country’s opening two Group B games, but was substituted after 58 minutes of the 3-0 win against Wales on Tuesday.

The World Cup is being staged during the months of November and December for the first time in its history. That has meant a disruption to the Premier League and top flight domestic competitions in other countries, with players thrust into the intensity of a World Cup just a few months into the season.

Rice says he has no concern about his own ability to last as long as England are at the tournament. “My record of playing games speaks for itself,” he said.

AP/PTI