Neuer: No reason for teams to 'fear or respect' Germany

The Bayern Munich star slammed his side's performance at the World Cup, claiming the 2014 winners "did not deserve" to go through

Manuel Neuer believes it would be "bitter and pathetic" for 's players to revel in their past glories in the aftermath of their dreadful 2018 World Cup campaign.

The defending champions' shambolic tournament came to a resounding end on Wednesday , as claimed a 2-0 victory in Kazan to ensure Germany finished bottom of Group F.

While Joachim Low's side lifted the trophy in in 2014, they joined , and in the list of teams to have been dumped out in the group stage following victory in the previous edition of the tournament.

And Neuer, who only returned from injury in time to captain Germany at this World Cup, insists Die Mannschaft cannot dwell on past achievements.

"We had it in our own hands, but we did not make it," Neuer, who confirmed his intention to remain available for international selection, said.

"To revel in the past brings us nothing, that's bitter and pathetic. Even if it had worked today, there would have been halts in the knockout phase. We just did not deserve it.

"We did not really convince in any game. Of course it is very disappointing.

"We need to analyse this and it has to be said very clearly that we just do not deserve it. Even after the three games, you have not seen in any game that there was a German team on the pitch, in front of which one has fear or respect.

"Even if we had made it in the last 16, everyone would have liked to play against us. How should we be dangerous to an opponent if we deliver such performances?

"I've always tried to take responsibility, always tried to take the team. In the locker room, during training and on the pitch. Of course, I am also responsible for it."

4/5 - #GER are the fourth defending champions to be eliminated from the Group Stage at the World Cup in the last five tournaments:

2002 France

2010 Italy

2014 Spain

2018 Germany. Surprise. pic.twitter.com/2ub1EJKUEo — OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) June 27, 2018

Like Neuer, Thomas Muller broke through the ranks in Germany's national team at World Cup 2010, although the forward was benched for the crunch clash with South Korea, and the 28-year-old admitted the squad were embarrassed by their displays.

"No matter what we say now, it will not be right," Muller told reporters.

"We are seriously disappointed and shocked. We are responsible for that. It is embarrassing that we will be eliminated from the table in this group.

"With this squad and these claims. We scored just one goal in three games and in each game we got a goal against us. Therefore, we are powerless against any argument."