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The Austrian soccer team has remained true to its virtues despite a break of more than nine months from international matches and numerous notable failures. In the 2-1 victory at the start of the Nations League on Friday in Norway, the opponent was teased early in the game. That should be successful on Monday (8.45pm / ORF 1 live) in Klagenfurt in the first international home game of the year against Romania.
“You play a different football,” team boss Franco Foda said on Saturday when he returned from Oslo. “This is a team that plays well, that likes to have the ball. We just have to take away the enjoyment of the game from them.” Together with his assistants Thomas Kristl and Imre Szabics, the German started preparation at midnight after the game against Norway.
Foda has now seen the Romanians’ first 1: 1 match against Northern Ireland, in which the locals were unable to turn their superiority into a victory, in full. With her own team, the 54-year-old praised the “enthusiasm and mentality” she had shown in the first international match of the year. “But we have to move on. We have another game on Monday. We have to focus again.”
With what formation do you want to do this, Foda left it open. In his decision to line up in Oslo, he had primarily taken into account the fitness level of his players. Captain Julian Baumgartlinger and Aleksandar Dragovic, for example, were initially on the bench because they had so little training on their legs after the Europa League breakup with Bayer Leverkusen and the following holidays.
Fitness values are one thing. Above all, however, Foda praised the honesty and frankness of her actors. She also wants to hear your comments on Monday. “As a coach, you also have a duty to take care of your players,” said the former Sturm Graz manager, given the unusual schedule after Corona’s break. “In this situation you have to think and plan a bit for the future.”
Only three changes to the Nations League – incomprehensible to Foda
Foda again emphasized his lack of understanding that there are only three changes available in the Nations League. Her protégés had reacted differently to the first 90 minutes of competitive play of the season. “I’m looking forward to going to bed,” said Xaver Schlager at Klagenfurt airport. The midfield dynamo praised the short start time the team needed after such a long break. “Everyone knows what their job is. We were very dominant.”
With Martin Hinteregger, however, he threatens another notable defeat against Romania. An MRI on Saturday afternoon should reveal the extent of his ankle injury. Foda was basically happy with the ball work in Oslo. “He was very good except for the goal we conceded. We could have defended him better, right from the start. Maybe we were a little too greedy.” Greedy to win the ball.
For Norway, Erling Haaland’s first goal for the national team was the only positive that night. With many decisions by the referees, especially the penalty whistle for Marcel Sabitzer’s 2-0, Haaland and company did not comply. Team boss Lars Lagerbäck didn’t want to use this as an excuse. “Austria was simply better than us,” emphasized the Swede. “We played a bad game and we became too cautious. And Austria was strong.” (apa / kle)
