Bierhoff cautions against complacency as Germany prepare World Cup defence

Eppan (Italy), May 25 (IANS): Germany's national football team manager Oliver Bierhoff on Friday warned his side against becoming complacent as they prepare to defend their FIFA World Cup title in Russia this summer. Bierhoff, who won 70 caps for Germany, scoring 37 goals, including the winning goal in extra time in the Euro 96 final, was speaking at a press conference at the national team's training camp in Eppan, in southern Tyrol, a German-speaking region of northern Italy, reported Efe. "We had a better squad in 1994 than in 1990 but we threw that tournament away. So it's important that we remain focused right from the start," he said. The team manager, who does not hold any coaching responsibilities with the German national side, pointed out that opponents would be gunning for them as the tournament's reigning champions. "We are aware that this will be our toughest World Cup because we will be hunted," he said. Germany have two friendly matches against Austria and Saudi Arabia as they finalise their preparations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Germans are in Group F along with South Korea, Mexico and Sweden, with their opening game coming against the North American side on June 17.