Low looking for 'perfection' in 2013

Posted Tuesday, December 25, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Germany coach Joachim Low has promised that his side will perfect its style of play over the course of the coming year.

The Nationalmannschaft have won widespread acclaim for their attractive football since the former Stuttgart boss took over, but have consistently fallen short at critical moments in big tournaments.

"We must, and we will, develop as a team [in 2013]," he told the DFB's official website. "That's what I'm working on with Hansi Flick, Andreas Kopke and Oliver Bierhoff. We have sometimes lacked the final thing. We have almost unique potential going forward. We have found our style of play, but we haven't perfected it.

"The best thing for me are the tournaments. In the finals, we have the chance to compete with the best in the world. I don't see this as pressure, but as an opportunity and as motivation. Of course, we set the highest goals. As athletes, we must have the goal of winning the World Cup - that would be the greatest. If we don't win the 2014 world title, we'll be disappointed."

However, the 52-year-old went on to reject suggestions that 2012 had been a disappointment, despite the European Championship semifinal exit to Italy back in June.

"I don't feel that way, personally. The disappointment of the Italy game was huge for everyone, mainly because we didn't realize our full potential," he said.

"Difficult were the days and weeks after Robert Enke had taken his own life."