Beckenbauer attacks Klinsmann defence

Germany might be confident that hooligans will not be allowed to slip through the net when next year's World Cup gets under way but Jurgen Klinsmann's defence is anything but as foolproof according to Franz Beckenbauer.

The former Germany captain has expressed grave concerns about the youthfulness of his country's back four ahead of tonight's opening Confederations Cup match against Australia in Frankfurt.

Last week's 2-2 draw with Russia did little to ease fears that Klinsmann, who replaced Rudi Voller as coach following Germany's dismal showing at Euro 2004, has pressed the self-destruct button by dispensing with more experienced campaigners like Borussia Dortmund's Christian Worns.

Against Russia, Germany started with a backline of Andreas Hinkel, Robert Huth, Per Mertesacker and Thomas Hitzlsperger - none of whom is over the age of 23. It was a policy that brought stinging criticism from the domestic media fuelled by the ease with which Russia, who are hardly among the leading nations of world football, breached Germany's porous rearguard. A similar showing against Australia tonight would increase the pressure already mounting on Klinsmann's shoulders.

The former Tottenham striker might have expected support from Beckenbauer, whom he played under when West Germany won the World Cup in Italy back in 1990. However, the Kaiser - the only man to have won that tournament as both a player and a manager - has poured scorn on the host nation's chances. Klinsmann must, according to Beckenbauer, change the personnel if Germany are to be competitive in 2006.

"The defence does not offer a lot of hope and quite frankly it is not stable enough," said Beckenbauer. "The back line is too young and does not have enough experience. If you are vulnerable at the back then the system does not work.

"It is all very well giving young players a chance but you cannot use all of them. The 2006 World Cup is for men not a youth world championship."

It is also a tournament in which Germany expect to mount a serious challenge, unlike in Portugal last year when they suffered the ignominy of failing to win a match. It is inconceivable they should experience a repeat of that embarrassment in front of their own supporters next year.

Expectations are high in Germany and Klinsmann risks compromising his estimable status if he fails to deliver. A place in the last four is the very least home fans will accept.

Yet, despite the negativity surrounding his team's chances, Klinsmann remains sanguine. He is confident that the scars of last summer are beginning to heal and that the team are making steps, if not leaps, in the right direction.

"We are slowly gaining respect after the Euro 2004 nightmare," said Klinsmann. "It was always going to take time, but we are getting there."

Results support Klinsmann's rhetoric. Under his tutelage, Germany have lost only once in 11 matches, the sole reverse coming in Busan - a 3-1 defeat by South Korea. Of greater significance, perhaps, are the draws against Argentina and World Cup holders Brazil - both of whom are competing in the Confederations Cup.

"Argentina and Brazil are the two top teams in world football but we can match them," said Klinsmann, who has his sights on winning the eight-team tournament, which also includes European champions Greece, Tunisia, Mexico and Japan. "This is an important step if we want to win the World Cup next year."

But what of the much-maligned defence? Huth is not a regular for Chelsea while Hitzlsperger was viewed primarily as a midfielder, not a defender, during his time at Aston Villa. He too struggled to hold down a regular starting spot in the Premiership. Indeed, against such a backdrop it is easy to imagine Ronaldinho, Adriano and Kaka - all of whom are representing Brazil in Germany this month - licking their lips at the prospect of exploiting such inexperience. Klinsmann, though, refuses to panic.

"I am aware that there were a lot of discussions about our defence after the Russia game," he added. "It is a learning curve but we will not budge from four at the back. The system suits us and we have the players to fit in.

"We have a young team and players make mistakes, but there is no team in world football that is perfect."

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