Germany captain Philipp Lahm has admitted that he has not played his best football at this summer’s World Cup.
The versatile defender was utilised in midfield for his country's first four games in Brazil before being returned to his usual full-back berth for the 1-0 quarter-final win over France.
Lahm looked more at home in defence but he refused to be drawn into the debate over where he should be deployed by coach Joachim Low, arguing that the only thing that matters is what is right for the group.
“I know I haven't played my best football throughout the tournament, but it isn't about me or any other player," the Bayern Munich ace told the Times of India. "It’s about the team and about winning the matches."
“For me and everyone else in the squad, it is important that the team is successful and that we develop ourselves further. This is what we are working towards.
“I wasn’t surprised [by being moved to full-back for the France game]. The coach decides which player to put in which position.
"He also decides what formation, which starting 11 and what substitutions he makes and we players follow that.”
The Germany captain is happy with Germany's overall performance in Brazil but believes his side have to improve on their player in the final third if they are to go and win the title.
“Though we haven't been perfect, we have done a lot of things right. Therefore we are in the semi-finals of the tournament,” he mused ahead of Tuesday's last-four meeting with Brazil in Belo Horizonte.
“We have had a lot of good attacks in all our matches, but the final pass or the goals haven't come which would have made things a lot easier for us.
“We came to Brazil with the aim of winning our fourth World Cup title. Now we have to concentrate, best prepare for the semi-final and then see if we can make it to the final next Sunday.
“Therefore, I will say again, we came here to win the World Cup and want to take the trophy home with us.”
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