By Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Jun 16, 2006, 0:36 GMT
Berlin - Before the World Cup began, I thought England and Brazil had the best midfields.
German Torsten Frings (L) and Maciej Zurawski from Poland fight for the ball during the group A match of 2006 FIFA World Cup between Germany and Poland in Dortmund on Wednesday 14 June, 2006. EPA/SRDJAN SUKI
Now we've seen all 32 teams in action, and the German team twice. And it's clear our midfield is right up there, too.
Schneider is looking lively again, Schweinsteiger is showing great dribbling talent, Frings is working away with boundless energy, and Ballack is always a danger in front of goal.
German fans were long of the opinion that we'd have a chance only with Ballack in top form. But now the team have shown they're a lot less dependent on him than in last year's Confederation Cup.
It means we're a lot more difficult to fathom out. And our rickety defence, too, has got its act together and gave the Poles hardly a chance.
The three who had been the object of criticism have Klinsmann's trust, and they repaid this with a solid performance. That will give them a lot more confidence for future games.
The stability of the defence is, of course, a result of all the working being done in midfield.
And looking on are German fans who are backing their team more frenetically than ever before. Not one whistle, just pure support.
The players are only too grateful for it. If the team gets carried forward by more of this extraordinary euphoria, they can achieve something sensational.
The game against Poland was the best I've seen for a long, long time. True, there was only a single, late goal. But converting chances is always a matter of luck.
Your have to work for your chances, especially against a team like Poland, who were really not bad. That's quality.
To sum up Germany's first two games: We're on top world form in speed, tactics, getting stuck in and will to win.
We really need fear no one, because the side kept playing fast and furiously for 93 minutes.
Now all we need is the icing on the cake with a third group win over Ecuador - and so avoid (we assume) having to come up against England already in the next round.
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