KUALA LUMPUR: Germany may have reached the World Cup knockout stage, but former midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes they will need a significant improvement to stay alive.
He warned that their unconvincing group-stage displays have done little to inspire confidence ahead of their last 32 clash with Paraguay.
Despite winning two of their three group matches, Hamann said Germany have yet to hit top gear.
"Obviously it doesn’t really matter how we get out of the group but we did it but the tournament really starts now and I think so far we’ve been a little disappointing," said Hamann.
Hamann, who represented his country in the World Cup twice, is here in Kuala Lumpur as one of the guests for the partnership announcement between the Malaysian Youth League and appliance brand Haier.
"We did okay in the second half against Curacao, but at that time they were out of their depth, and it was a fortunate win against Ivory Coast but we lost against Ecuador," he said.
"It doesn’t need to mean anything but I don’t think we’re going with a lot of confidence into the knockout rounds."
Germany started their campaign in North America with a 7-1 win over Curacao, followed by a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, but fell 2-1 to Ecuador in their final Group E tie.
It was enough to see them top the group with six points, equal with Ivory Coast while Ecuador also advanced as one of the best third placed teams with four points.
Facing Paraquay next, Hamann said it would be a stern test as the South Americans were experienced and physically strong opponents.
"It’ll be another physical and tight game. If the team do not grow up in the days before the match then it could be over," he said.
"The team have been out-muscled so they need to be strong and stand their ground."
Hamann, 52, knows what it takes to compete on football's biggest stage, having helped his country reach quarter-finals at the 1998 edition in France and final in 2002 South Korea.
The former Liverpool player also reflected on how the game has changed since his time on the pitch with sports science having transformed player monitoring, but questioned if the game has become overly reliant on data.
"Players even play with a GPS vest to see the distance they’ve covered and the number of sprints. I’m not sure that’s all necessary.
"It’s probably a bit too much science for my liking because creativity can suffer when everything is measured," he said.
Hamann also acknowledged that today’s game is faster and more physical, helped by the introduction of five substitutions, allowing teams to keep intensity high.
However, for this World Cup which has the addition of hydration breaks, Hamann said it could bring about the opposite effect as it had interrupted football’s natural rhythm.
"The game has become more physical, that’s clear. Making five changes makes a big difference and keeps the game's tempo.
"But the hydration breaks, I think, interrupt the game. I don't think it’s for the betterment of the game. It breaks up the game, and I’d be surprised to see these breaks beyond the World Cup.
"Football needs to flow and the refereeing and the use of VAR have been exceptional because they’ve kept interruptions to a minimum," he said.
