Arne Friedrich insists there is no senior partner in his pairing with Per Mertesacker at the heart of Germany's defence.

Friedrich and Mertesacker, who are expected to be Joachim Low's first-choice pairing in South Africa, are experienced campaigners and the 31-year-old believes both men will have to display leadership qualities if the Germans are to advance from Group D, which also contains Australia, Ghana and Serbia.

"I do not think Per is my boss," said Friedrich, who has won 72 caps for his country. "We both have to take on a lot of responsibility for the organisation of the team."