2014 WC Qualifying: Lahm looking for improvement

In European World Cup qualification, Germany travelled to neighbours Austria looking to maintain their 100% record. A 3-0 opening day win over the Faroe Islands saw Joachim Loew’s side enter the match top of Group C.

And they looked well on their way to protecting that run in Vienna as they took the lead a minute before the break. Marco Reus with some neat footwork before firing past Robert Almer to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Forty-seven places separate these two sides in the world rankings and Germany began to assert their authority in the second half. And their efforts were rewarded shortly after the break as Thomas Muller was brought down in the area. The referee pointed to the spot – Veli Kavlak the guilty party.

Mesut Ozil stepped up, making no mistake to double the Germans’ lead with his third goal of the campaign. But the hosts pulled one back just six minutes later.
Matts Hummels was caught ball watching – Zlatko Junuzonic capitalising with the simplest of finishes to give the Austrians a lifeline.

They couldn’t build on it though and it finished 2-1, meaning Germany maintain their place at the top of Group C after two games.

“We will analyze this match next time the team meets and will talk about it. Normally when a team is pressing against us, we know how to play but this time we didn’t manage it ” Lahm said.