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Germany captain Joshua Kimmich has stated that the true tests for the national team are yet to come at the World Cup, emphasizing that the resounding 7-1 victory against Curaçao isn't a true indicator of the squad's full potential.
“We played our first match against an opponent that isn't at a world-class level. We have some real challenges ahead that will show us where we truly stand,” Kimmich said at a press conference.
Germany is set to face Ivory Coast on Saturday in Toronto, followed by a match against Ecuador on June 25 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“We need to work on our stability and concede fewer goals,” Kimmich insisted, noting that Curaçao's equalizer for 1-1 should not have happened. Kimmich highlighted that defensive play remains a critical concern, warning that Ivory Coast boasts talented players like young RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande, and that the physical demands will intensify leading up to their game against Ecuador.
The defensive midfielder also believes Germany possesses enough potential to win both of their remaining group stage matches. A victory against Ivory Coast would secure a spot in the knockout phase, a stage the four-time champions failed to reach in the last two editions in 2018 and 2022. The German squad had a rest day on Tuesday, with players receiving visits from family members at their base camp. Training is scheduled to resume on Wednesday.
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