Beckenbauer attacks Klinsmann defence

"It is all very well giving young players a chance but you cannot use all of them. The 2006 World Cup is for men not a youth world championship."

It is also a tournament in which Germany expect to mount a serious challenge, unlike in Portugal last year when they suffered the ignominy of failing to win a match. It is inconceivable they should experience a repeat of that embarrassment in front of their own supporters next year.

Expectations are high in Germany and Klinsmann risks compromising his estimable status if he fails to deliver. A place in the last four is the very least home fans will accept.

Yet, despite the negativity surrounding his team's chances, Klinsmann remains sanguine. He is confident that the scars of last summer are beginning to heal and that the team are making steps, if not leaps, in the right direction.

"We are slowly gaining respect after the Euro 2004 nightmare," said Klinsmann. "It was always going to take time, but we are getting there."

Results support Klinsmann's rhetoric. Under his tutelage, Germany have lost only once in 11 matches, the sole reverse coming in Busan - a 3-1 defeat by South Korea. Of greater significance, perhaps, are the draws against Argentina and World Cup holders Brazil - both of whom are competing in the Confederations Cup.

"Argentina and Brazil are the two top teams in world football but we can match them," said Klinsmann, who has his sights on winning the eight-team tournament, which also includes European champions Greece, Tunisia, Mexico and Japan. "This is an important step if we want to win the World Cup next year."

But what of the much-maligned defence? Huth is not a regular for Chelsea while Hitzlsperger was viewed primarily as a midfielder, not a defender, during his time at Aston Villa. He too struggled to hold down a regular starting spot in the Premiership. Indeed, against such a backdrop it is easy to imagine Ronaldinho, Adriano and Kaka - all of whom are representing Brazil in Germany this month - licking their lips at the prospect of exploiting such inexperience. Klinsmann, though, refuses to panic.

"I am aware that there were a lot of discussions about our defence after the Russia game," he added. "It is a learning curve but we will not budge from four at the back. The system suits us and we have the players to fit in.

"We have a young team and players make mistakes, but there is no team in world football that is perfect."