Midfielder Thomas Muller insists Germany are not the team of world-beaters they have been portrayed as in the wake of their 4-0 demolition of Australia in their Group D opener.
However, he admits there is a confidence among the squad which he hopes will take them a long way in the tournament.
With most of the matches so far having been low-scoring, tight - and often dull - affairs, Germany's victory over the Socceroos has naturally caught the eye.
But Muller said the side, Germany's youngest at a World Cup since 1934, still had a lot of improving to do, starting with Friday's encounter against Serbia in Port Elizabeth.
"The international press are heaping praise on us," said the 20-year-old.
"When you play well you are everyone's darling, but if we lose 2-0 to Serbia they will tear us apart, so we need to keep our feet on the ground.
"All we have done is get off to a good start. We haven't really won anything yet and certainly not qualified for the next phase.
"We are not the fantastic team which everyone makes us out to be.
"But we have every reason to look forward to the Serbia game with quiet confidence. It will be a different type of game as they desperately need a win.
"We won't win every game 4-0, but we have nothing to fear.
"We have taken confidence from the game against Australia and we have no need to fear anyone, but it will not be plain sailing from now on."
Muller wears the number 13 shirt synonymous with namesake Gerd and the Germany legend has given his backing to the young star.
However, the current Bayern Munich player accepts he has a long way to go to match the exploits of 'Der Bomber', Germany's all-time leading scorer in the Bundesliga (365 goals), national team (68) and World Cup (14).
"I really have no time to think about things or to ponder my development. I am living that progress every day - it is all around me," said Muller, who was playing in Bayern's reserve team 12 months ago.
"It is not as though I have gone from playing third division football and then parachuted into the national side - there have been many steps on the way.
"My goal is just to play well and get as much game time as possible."
Striker Lukas Podolski also had a welcome return to form with a goal against Australia.
The 25-year-old scored just twice in the Bundesliga for Cologne but he appears to flourish under the leadership of coach Joachim Low.
"Clearly, I had a difficult season at Cologne but my aim was always to have a good World Cup and until now it has worked very well," he said.
"We play a more aggressive game with the national team than we play at Cologne," he said.
"At the club we are far more defensive. It is always like that with the national team and we have trained like that for many years.
"Low has been working with me for several years. I have learned a lot with him and I have improved."