By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The German national team's successful reset remains a journey into the unknown.

Despite Hansi Flick's starting record of seven victories including a goal difference of 31-2, the 2014 World Cup winners' true potential seems a mystery to its makers.

"We might have discovered our team spirit again, which is already an achievement, but we haven't played one of the big nations," commented Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller after a series of FIFA World Cup qualifiers against underdog teams such as Armenia, Iceland, North Macedonia and Liechtenstein.

"We might not know about our strength until we meet some of the leading football nations ahead of the World Cup next year," Muller stated.

Revitalizing Germany's status as a title-winning football nation is turning into a long-distance race for Flick.

While the first settings have been installed, German coaches, players and fans are eager to remove the uncertainty.

National team director Oliver Bierhoff announced that the German Football Association intends to set up pre-World Cup tests against big nations such as England, Spain and France ahead of the 2022 Qatar tournament.

In December, an association delegation including Flick is going to visit Qatar to secure "the best possible accommodation and training facilities to set up a suitable frame," as Flick put it.

Sports magazine Kicker wrote about a ray of hope created but pointed out that significant steps are still missing to regain the top level.

2021 might have triggered a wind of change after the 15-year reign of Flick's predecessor Joachim Low, but decisive challenges lie ahead.

A newly developed greediness "is something we can rely on as we continue until the last seconds after we score the leading goal," Muller said. Improvements regarding determination seem a reason for optimism.

Despite the team having to replace several of its key figures, "it was apparent to everyone that we fight and care for each other on the pitch," the Bayern forward stressed.

This, the 110-cap striker added, feels like a successful restart for the wavering team.

Flick spoke of enormous potential in all positions. Considering Champions League finals of the past years "with several German players involved" is said to prove German football's quality.

To some extent, "it is common sense to say we are back," Flick said. Including youngsters such as Karim Adeyemi and Lukas Nmecha in the squad has helped to plug gaps.

Germany feels ready to challenge the currently leading nations, Flick added.

Flick indicated that testing times might be a thing of the past when the final preparation stages come close next year. Test matches and six Nations League encounters in 2022 must be used to intensify team building efforts to turn the World Cup into a success.

The German coach is expected to set up strict quality measures regarding his squad to keep hopes alive of returning the team to the world's top nations. "To be around among the final four is our claim. It must be the target for a football nation such as Germany," Bierhoff said. Enditem

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