VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria outplayed a toothless Germany to win 2-0 in their friendly, ending their year on a high while piling more pressure on the embattled Euro 2024 hosts who had Leroy Sane sent off early in the second half.
Marcel Sabitzer’s low drive in the 29th minute put the dominant hosts, who have qualified for the Euros, in front with Germany posing no threat in attack and needing 32 minutes for their first shot on goal.
Another quick passing move led to Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner chipping the ball over keeper Kevin Trapp in the 73rd, with Germany down to 10 men following the 49th-minute red card for Sane.
For Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who took over in September, it was the second straight loss after Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to Turkey, forcing him back to the drawing board seven months before the start of the Euros on home soil.
Nagelsmann blamed a lack of unity within the team on the pitch while also criticizing an “absurd rate of loss of possession in the first half.”
Germany’s Antonio Rudiger (right) defends against a shot by Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner during the international friendly soccer match between Austria and Germany at the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria, on Nov 21, 2023.