FIFA World Cup: Players will have to hit their physical limits, says World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann
1998 World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann has said the 2022 FIFA World Cup will push players to their physical limit. Hosts Qatar will face Ecuador in the opening game of the World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Klinsmann says players will have to hit their physical limits in Qatar (Reuters)
By India Today Web Desk: 1998 World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann has said the 2022 FIFA World Cup will push players to their physical limit. Hosts Qatar will face Ecuador in the opening game of the World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Klinsmann said the 2022 FIFA World Cup will push players to their physical limit.
“The tournament will be tough too. It will be demanding. Group stage games every three days. So physically, they’ll have to go to their limits. There is no doubt about it. But I think at the end of the game they are pleased also that they didn’t need to go in another preparation period of four weeks and that they can play this tournament right away,” said Klinsmann.
The German said he expects high quality, adding that the World Cup schedule will be tough on everyone.
“I expect high quality. Injuries are always sad. Every injury is a sad message. Especially with the rhythm they’ve played now in the last couple of months in the top leagues. Especially top leagues in Europe. They play literally three games per week. And it’s tough. It’s tough on everyone,” Klinsmann added.
He went on to say that it will be interesting to see what play style the teams adopt.
“For us, we aren’t going to just evaluate and analyse those games. It’s going to be interesting to see how many teams will play their way out of their backs and out of trouble. And how many teams maybe will go back to their older style. So they don’t bother with this out of their back style. Because they pressure us so perfect now and they’ve just headed long,” said Klinsmann.
The 58-year-old added that he will be keeping a key eye on the forwards at the World Cup and in particular England’s Harry Kane.
“It will be interesting to see how they’ll utilize the number 9 in this tournament. Because I was a former number 9. And I really suffer when I hear they talk about a false number 9. It really bothers me. So I hope this is kind of an opportunity for some number 9s to get some goals here. And I’m looking specially at Harry Kane, maybe,” Klinsmann added.
