The star-studded Germany attack has been told to convert more chances in front of goal when they take on Austria in Vienna tomorrow in their second World Cup qualifying match.
The Germans laboured to a 3-0 win over minnows Faroe Islands in Hanover on Friday with two goals from Mesut Ozil and one from Mario Goetze to top Group C, but Joachim Loew’s side can expect a tougher challenge in Vienna.
Despite fielding a five-man attack including Lazio veteran striker Miroslav Klose, Ozil and Dortmund pair Goetze and Marco Reus, the Germans converted just three of their 15 shots on goal in Hanover.
“We have to be more consistent in front of goal,” insisted Germany’s assistant coach Hansi Flick.
“Our finishing has to be better.”
The game against Austria marks the start of three tough games for the Germans who after their trip to Vienna travel to Dublin to play the Republic of Ireland on October 12 before hosting Sweden in Berlin on October 16.
Flick said the guests are bracing themselves for a tough time in Vienna, where they needed a 90th-minute winner from striker Mario Gomez to sneak a 2-1 win in June 2011 during a Euro 2012 qualifier on their last visit.
“In Marcel Koller they have a coach who has given them direction and a certain style, plus in (Stuttgart’s) Martin Harnik and (Werder Bremen’s) Marko Arnautovic they have two players of outstanding quality,” said Flick.
Klose hopeful
Klose admitted he was frustrated by the lack of goals against the defence-minded Faroe Islands as he looks to close the four-goal gap behind Gerd Mueller’s record of 68 goals for Germany.
“During a game like that, there is a switch in your head which you press many times, without success,” said Klose, who has enjoyed four wins over Austria, scoring five goals in the process.
“Against Austria we will have more room, but we will have to show our best football to get by down there.”
Head coach Loew is expected to have midfielder Toni Kroos and defender Marcel Schmelzer to choose from in Vienna after both missed the Faroe Islands game with injury.