These are good times for Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Bayern Munich ace has been the player of the tournament; with his silken skills and his dominant outings, the 25-year-old has won praise from all quarters. However, none will sound sweeter than the words of appreciation from former World Cup winning captain and manager Franz Beckenbauer.
“Schweinsteiger has had an exceptional season — he is the new superstar, the best player at the World Cup right now,” wrote Der Kaiser. That must certainly be music to the ears of the multi-talented midfielder.
However, the Bayern Munich ace knows the job is still far from done as a mouth-watering clash against Spain — who beat them 1-0 in the Euro2008 final — looms.
The midfielder feels the Germans have come a long way since that defeat, and the team are on an upward surge. While conversely Spain have more or less the same squad.
Schweinsteiger admits Spain were the better team on that night in Vienna two years ago, but feels the Germans have improved enough to give them a run for their money at Durban on Wednesday.
“Losing a final always causes frustration and disappointment but Spain were definitely the better team,” he said. “If you look at it on paper there is no doubt they are the better side but maybe now we have a better chance,” he added.
“Now we have fresh faces and different characters — an unencumbered state of mind. Spain have not changed so much. Sergio Busquets has come in for Marcos Senna and that is maybe the only real change whereas we have many, many newcomers.
“Spain haven’t really dazzled in the way that their fans might have hoped but they have still been winning. We need another tactical masterpiece,” said Schweinsteiger.
Good thing for him that he has an astute tactical wizard on the touchline in Joachim Loew. The coach’s move to slot him in a central midfield role after captain Michael Ballack’s untimely injury will go down as the most inspired coaching move of the tournament.