‘Compact 2022 World Cup will create great atmosphere’

By Sports Reporter/Doha

Oliver Kahn, who starred in Germany’s run to the final of the 2002 World Cup, further added that it was normal for host nations to be criticised and can lead to positive outcomes.

The former Bayern Munich goalkeeper told www.sc.qa: “It is a great concept to have such short distances between venues, and it will add almost an Olympic character and feel to the competition. Brazil was very big, and sometimes the atmosphere was not the same everywhere and suffered slightly, so it will be very nice here where you have everyone in a small place and teams will be able to prepare better.”

When asked about Germany’s World Cup triumph this summer, Kahn credited it to intense preparation: “What was the key for Germany this summer? I think it was the organisation and preparation before and during the tournament. And in addition, it is about concentration during the four weeks of the World Cup. When all of this comes together, the result is that you create World Cup winners.”

Looking forward to the tournament in 2022, the 2001 UEFA Champions League winner with Bayern Munich said that criticism of major events was normal, and had the advantage of improving conditions in host countries.

“Generally I am used to this entire outcry, it happens before any World Cup. It doesn’t matter where it was held, there's always a media debate. In South Africa, it was about security. Ahead of Brazil there was a lot of talk.

“There are also justified topics that are always discussed ahead of World Cup tournaments, but it leads to those problems, like workers’ rights here, being improved.

“In this regard the World Cup in these countries has a certain advantage, because it highlights those areas which are in need of change.”

Kahn added that he had also seen cooling technology work for the first time on his visit to Doha: “I have experienced now how they can cool it all down, outside it is above 30 degrees, inside it is very comfortable. Since money is not an issue here, that is the way it is.”

The former Bayern Munich captain also expressed his admiration for current Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola: “He takes the word coaching very seriously. He is always coaching for full 90 minutes.

“You saw it again against Dortmund. He always has some kind of solution.

“Look at the substitution, bringing on Ribery and giving him the clear order to run at Subotic. He likes to change the system, change positions, this flexible football is simply strong.

“He just needs to watch out that these many changes in positions don’t hurt the team, as was the case sometimes last year. So he also should not overdo it and make sure the players play in the position that is best suited for them.”

Asked whether Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer deserved to win the Ballon D’Or award this year, he said: “The Ballon D’Or is that tennis match between Cristiano and Messi. It is Messi, Cristiano, Messi, Messi, Cristiano... it is a monologue and those who choose the award should change their thinking.”

“By my experience, I know it is difficult to give it to a goalkeeper, but the advantage of Neuer is that he is not a goalkeeper. He is more of a libero or center-back than a goalkeeper,” Kahn added.