<p>Germany are desperate to erase the memory of their disastrous 2018 World Cup when they begin their campaign in Qatar against Japan on Wednesday, captain Joshua Kimmich said.</p>.<p>The four-time world champions were humiliated four years ago in Russia, exiting in the group stage for the first time in their illustrious history.</p>.<p>Germany will look to take out their frustration on Japan in their Group E opener and Kimmich said their motivation on the eve of the game was "huge".</p>.<p>"We know that what happened four-and-a-half years ago was terrible, so we had quite a wait," said the Bayern Munich man.</p>.<p>"The first game is extremely important. We lost our first game at the last Euros and we didn't win the tournament, so I hope tomorrow we will win."</p>.<p>Germany will be without Leroy Sane against Japan after the winger was ruled out on Tuesday with a knee injury.</p>.<p>Manager Hansi Flick said Sane could return for Germany's second game against Spain on Sunday, but in the meantime he may turn to Thomas Mueller to fill the gap.</p>.<p>Mueller has been hampered by injury in recent months but Flick said the veteran was "definitely an option" against Japan.</p>.<p>"Today in training he did his job very well, we were happy with him," said Flick.</p>.<p>"So yes, we have one option more, thanks to Thomas Mueller."</p>.<p>Kimmich warned of the threat posed by Japan, who have eight players based in the Bundesliga, including Eintracht Frankfurt dangerman Daichi Kamada.</p>.<p>Kimmich said Kamada was "a smart player with a lot of intelligence" but he cautioned that other Japanese players can also cause Germany problems.</p>.<p>"Many of Japan's players play in the Bundesliga and almost all of them are very agile, very fast, and are strong players," he said.</p>.<p>"They have great technique so we have to be careful."</p>
<p>Germany are desperate to erase the memory of their disastrous 2018 World Cup when they begin their campaign in Qatar against Japan on Wednesday, captain Joshua Kimmich said.</p>.<p>The four-time world champions were humiliated four years ago in Russia, exiting in the group stage for the first time in their illustrious history.</p>.<p>Germany will look to take out their frustration on Japan in their Group E opener and Kimmich said their motivation on the eve of the game was "huge".</p>.<p>"We know that what happened four-and-a-half years ago was terrible, so we had quite a wait," said the Bayern Munich man.</p>.<p>"The first game is extremely important. We lost our first game at the last Euros and we didn't win the tournament, so I hope tomorrow we will win."</p>.<p>Germany will be without Leroy Sane against Japan after the winger was ruled out on Tuesday with a knee injury.</p>.<p>Manager Hansi Flick said Sane could return for Germany's second game against Spain on Sunday, but in the meantime he may turn to Thomas Mueller to fill the gap.</p>.<p>Mueller has been hampered by injury in recent months but Flick said the veteran was "definitely an option" against Japan.</p>.<p>"Today in training he did his job very well, we were happy with him," said Flick.</p>.<p>"So yes, we have one option more, thanks to Thomas Mueller."</p>.<p>Kimmich warned of the threat posed by Japan, who have eight players based in the Bundesliga, including Eintracht Frankfurt dangerman Daichi Kamada.</p>.<p>Kimmich said Kamada was "a smart player with a lot of intelligence" but he cautioned that other Japanese players can also cause Germany problems.</p>.<p>"Many of Japan's players play in the Bundesliga and almost all of them are very agile, very fast, and are strong players," he said.</p>.<p>"They have great technique so we have to be careful."</p>