Hansi Flick: 'Germany is not under pressure from defeat in 2018'

- How many hours per day do you think about the World Cup 2022?

- With the tournament approaching, we are focusing all of our attention on the World Cup in Qatar. It's a 24/7 problem. Me and the coaching team are immersed in the final preparations and do not rest for even a minute.

- In the last time he attended the World Cup, he won the championship with Germany as assistant to Joachim Low. How did you feel at that time?

- Attending the World Cup final and winning is a unique experience. There's nothing better than that. In any case, there is no greater duty and honor than representing your country at the World Cup. So I miss this feeling very much. I really want to experience another World Cup.

- Compared to when you worked as an assistant eight years ago, how does being the current head coach put you under more pressure?

- Definitely more pressure. Now, I have more responsibilities and more public appearances. As an assistant coach, you don't experience it in such an extreme way. But what hasn't changed is that we're working together on the big task of the World Cup. One individual cannot bring success.

- Germany is in the same group as Spain, Costa Rica and Japan. What do you think about the statement that this is the table of death at the 2022 World Cup?

- I don't know if it's the most difficult group. It's always difficult to predict while preparing for the World Cup, but it's certainly not an easy group. To be more precise, this is a challenging table.

- How do you rate Spain?

- Spain is an excellent team, and this time, they have a quality team with great players. I have great respect for Luis Enrique and am sure he can create a team that can compete for titles.

- You faced Spain at Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010. So how has this team changed?

- Spain team is always developing and never stops. However, they always have a very unique style of play that is not confused with any other team. That says it all about Spain.

- So how do you plan to beat Spain?

- With a little luck. We can see that on the evening of 11/27.

- At the 2018 World Cup, Germany was eliminated from the group stage. How did that put you and the team under pressure when coming to Qatar this year?

- The pressure in Germany is always great, with very high expectations before each tournament. That has nothing to do with what happened in Russia, but more to do with the glorious successes of the past. But we don't feel any external pressure. We also have very high expectations of ourselves.

- What will your coaching style at the 2022 World Cup be?

- A collective cannot function without clear rules and disciplines. But there must also be a certain degree of individual freedom and responsibility. The mix of these factors needs to be just right.

- What did you say to your colleague Luis Enrique during the last Euro draw?

- What is discussed in private should be kept private. But I will say this, it was very interesting conversation.

- What do you think about Enrique as a coach?

- He is a great coach with a great personality. I have great respect for Enrique as a coach and also appreciate his human qualities.

- What is more difficult, preparing a new season with Bayern or the World Cup with Germany?

- Both are interesting challenges. However, having the World Cup take place for the first time in winter left me with little time to prepare, and this was especially difficult. But every team has to deal with the same problem. So I won't complain too much.

- How do you see Antonio Rudiger integrating at Real and La Liga?

- Rudiger has grown tremendously in recent years. He was the mainstay of the German national team and now Real. I think it was the right decision for Rudiger to come to Spain. Here, he can take the next step.

- Jamal Musiala is flourishing at Bayern. What do you predict about him in the World Cup 2022?

- He has the potential to do that. It was fun to watch Musiala practice and compete on the field. Musiala's passion for football is contagious, and his lightness, youthfulness is captivating.

- What will be the best thing about Germany at the 2022 World Cup?

- In the past, the tournaments that Germany succeeded in were always characterized by special teamwork. Winning teams learn from their own mistakes, analyze and work hard, not just before but during the tournament. We want to be that team.