Three years ago, I interviewed Michael Ballack, owner of 98 caps for Germany and one of his country’s greatest-ever players, and asked him why they always performed so well at major tournaments.
His face broke into a wide smile, and though his words might sound arrogant, they were delivered in a measured and matter-of-fact tone, because they are simply impossible to argue with.
“As German players we have something special inside us, because of our football history, we know we have to win, it is what is expected, so we have a good focus, and we have good discipline both on and off the pitch,” he said.