Germany and Bayern Munich 'keeper Manuel Neuer believes the national team squad has never boasted so much quality, but believes the national 'Mannschaft' must stay hungry if they are to achieve longer term goals.
Germany have put their Euro 2012-winning credentials on display by romping through qualifying, winning all nine of their group matches so far ahead of hosting Belgium for their final Group A qualifier on Tuesday.
The national team's success has coincided with that of Neuer's club Bayern, the Bundesliga giants who were on an impressive stretch of 10 victories before a scoreless draw against Hoffenheim last week.
For Neuer, who has conceded only one goal in eight Bundesliga matches, success in one team has gone hand in hand with the other.
"The national team has never boasted so much quality. We're solid at every position, and that goes for the substitutes bench as well," he said in Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
"In both teams, the confidence is flying. When you win matches it makes you even stronger, and that strengthens my optimism for the near future."
Neuer, 25, pulled off some remarkable saves in Friday's 3-1 win over Turkey, only conceding a goal due to a defensive error but playing a hand in Germany's opening goal thanks to a long punt upfield.
Despite Germany's spotless qualifying campaign, Neuer says Joachim Low's side have to stay hungry -- starting with Belgium on Tuesday -- if they are to be seen as a formidable force at the tournament next year.
"We don't want to show any weaknesses, and we want to keep our qualifying run as flawless as possible," he said.
"The smallest display of weakness could have implications for us at the Euro 2012, and we can't allow that."
Source: AFP
