Fearless Schweinsteiger revels in attacking role

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger controls the ball during a friendly match against Colombia in Moenchengladbach, on June 2. Over the past year Schweinsteiger has become one of Germany's key players with his attacking flair and he hopes manager Jurgen Klinsmann will give him the freedom to get forward in Friday's World Cup opener against Costa Rica.

Over the past year Bastian Schweinsteiger has become one of Germany's key players with his attacking flair and he hopes manager Jurgen Klinsmann will give him the freedom to get forward in Friday's World Cup opener against Costa Rica.

The 21-year-old is the in-form player for the German team having scored in his last two internationals and is expected to be handed an attacking role on the left side of midfield.

"I have freedom to go forward and it is a lot of fun. I do have to come back defensively but I am more attack orientated and I like that," said Schweinsteiger, who will be even more vital to the Germans now that playmaker Michael Ballack has been ruled out of the first match because of a calf muscle injury.

"I hope we attack like we did at the Confederations Cup as we scored a lot of goals.

"But we need to defend better than we did then and not concede as many goals. We all need to help out to do this."

The Bayern Munich star will be playing on his home ground on Friday and admits it will be a special occasion.

"It will be nice playing on my club ground. However it is not just about Munich but Germany as a whole," Schweinsteiger said.

"A lot of people are talking about pressure. To be honest I do not feel pressure. I am just looking forward to the game."

Schweinsteiger is in fine shape after scoring the equaliser in a 2-2 friendly draw with Japan eight days ago and then a spectacular 30 yard free-kick in last Friday's 3-0 win over Colombia.

It was a breathtaking strike and the player admits the new World Cup ball gives the free-kick specialists an advantage.

"The new ball dips and swerves when you strike it from distance which makes it difficult for the goalkeeper," Schweinsteiger explained.

"Our goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has said that to us and he is right. I hope to get the chance to try a free-kick against Costa Rica."