Franco Foda nominates the ÖFB team for international matches against Greece, Northern Ireland and Romania

The head of the Austrian soccer team, Franco Foda, has called up two newcomers for the October 7 test against Greece and for the Nations League matches in Northern Ireland (October 11) and Romania (October 14). October). Sasa Kalajdzic and Raphael Holzhauser appear for the first time in the 26-man lineup this time, and Marco Friedl is another potential rookie.

Shanghai Legionnaire Marko Arnautovic is not available for this due to entry requirements in China. The forward was already absent from the September games, as was David Alaba, who is there this time, but like Andreas Ulmer and Xaver Schlager they are still safe against Greece.

In return, Kalajdzic and Holzhauser can make their international debut in a duel with the 2004 European champions. “We had been thinking about Kalajdzic for a long time, unfortunately he was seriously injured last year. He has shown the qualities he has in recent years. weeks, “Foda said of the six-foot forward, who has played in his previous two upper chambers. Bets for VfB Stuttgart.

The 23-year-old, born in Vienna, has Serbian roots, so there was always a movement towards Serbian association. Whether a national change from Kalajdzic would be off the table when playing in one of the Nations League games is open, because FIFA plans to soften the criteria.

Foda in Holzhauser: “He has more dynamism in the game”

Second newcomer Holzhauser qualified for the ÖFB national team thanks to his strong appearances in Berschoot – the former Austrian remains in the Belgian top league after seven rounds with five hits and four assists. “He has advanced in recent months, has more dynamism in the game, scores goals and prepares goals,” said Foda of Holzhauser.

The German saw some of the midfielder’s appearances on video. “I like the way he plays now a lot more than a few years ago. He has a lot more power and depth,” Foda said.

Compared to September, the national coach also brought back Louis Schaub and Alessandro Schöpf, but like a month ago there are some notable absentees. In addition to Arnautovic, the injured Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer and Valentino Lazaro are missing. “We were able to compensate for the failures in the last year and we have made small changes to our basic structure because we want to get used to it,” Foda said. “We want to bring in new players and be successful. We have to find the right balance.”

The team boss was very satisfied with the September games, which resulted in a win in Norway and a loss at home to Romania, “because we had good phases of ball possession and good pressure. But there is still a lot to improve, especially in terms of defensive behavior and standards.. “

The first opportunity for improvement is next Wednesday at the Klagenfurt Wörthersee stadium against the Greeks. “They have a similar game structure to Romania, very strong. They try to build the game from behind and have a good quality in the last zone,” explained Foda. You can expect a completely different game against Northern Ireland. “You will play a lot of long balls, it’s about the second balls, like you did against Norway.”

Foda: “Arnautovic would have liked to come”

With the exception of Alaba, Ulmer and Schlager, who arrive on Tuesday, the ÖFB team will meet in Pörtschach on Monday at the latest; training will take place in Klagenfurt. The departure to Northern Ireland will take place on Friday, the following Monday the journey from Belfast to Bucharest will continue. Before the away games, Foda reduced the squad to 21 outfield players plus three goalkeepers.

The last international matches of the year will be played in mid-November, again without Arnautovic, provided that the Viennese club reaches the league final with his club. “He would have liked to come, but the problem is that the situation in China has not changed,” Foda said. Arnautovic would have to be quarantined in China for 14 days after his return from Austria. “That is unreasonable, and a club does not even have to turn down a player,” said the team boss.

Foda only recently had contact with Arnautovic as he did with Alaba, whose future at Bayern is still unclear. “But he can handle the situation very well. It is a strategic decision that he must make on his own,” Foda said. Whether the Bayern central defender also acts in the ÖFB selection in the center of defense should be clarified soon. “I will discuss this with him in peace,” announced the team leader.

The ÖFB team at a glance