Ozil’s our Jul in crown

Rival rubbishes legend’s claims DRAXLER BACKS MESUT TO SILENCE HIS CRITICS

confident as Germany bid to win their eighth tournament opener in a row in Sochi.

He said: “Every team continues to improve. Brazil is much, much stronger and we have a few more arrows in our quiver. France and Spain are much better too.

“We have often won our initial matches.

Not all, but in my time, yes. The team has the ability to be really focused when it counts. I hope this continues this time. I am confident that it will.”

Werner, 22, rarely drinks but is happy to order a huge double in Russia.

The Red Bull Leipzig star is still pinching himself about how far he has travelled in eight short years.

Werner has played at every level for Germany and gave a warning of what was to come by firing a hat-trick on his Under-15s debut against Poland in 2010.

Now he is gunning for goals behind the old Iron Curtain and said: “When we have the good team we have and are the defending champions, everyone in Germany thinks that we can – and will – win it again.

“But at the World Cup you need more than just ability – you need a bit of luck. You can’t decide who you play against but we believe we can beat everybody.”

The former Stuttgart striker was a proud member of the Germany side which lifted the Confederations Cup last summer and he will take that confidence into the big tournament.

He added: “That triumph has given us a lot of confidence because at the World Cup we will also have players such as Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil and Mats Hummels. We won the Confederations Cup with so many young players. “Now all of our top stars are back and they will help us in trying to win another World Cup this summer.”