Nations League: Austria clinches victory in Romania

In second place behind the Austrians in the table by defeat in the direct duel are the Norwegians, who celebrated a 1-0 (0-0) home win against Northern Ireland and, like Austria, now have nine. points. Romania is in third place with four points ahead of Northern Ireland (1 point). On the fifth matchday of November 15, Austria (8.45 pm, live on ORF1) will face Northern Ireland at home, Norway will visit Romania.

ÖFB Temachef Foda had relied on tried and tested forces in Romania for the lineup. Only Reinhold Ranftl was absent from the star formation compared to the 1-0 win in Northern Ireland, which had to make room for Schalke’s right-hander Alessandro Schöpf. For the first time in history, only the Legionnaires from Germany were in the ÖFB’s starting lineup. After two Test victories over Greece (2: 1) and against Northern Ireland (1: 0) in the Nations League, there were no discussions about the direction of the march.

Foda wanted the third victory in a row that would bring his team closer to group victory. “We always want to have the will and the mentality to win from the first minute,” the 54-year-old had explained beforehand. What he wanted to change compared to the 3-2 home loss to Romania a month ago in Klagenfurt: “We have to focus more on defense, like against Greece and Northern Ireland, and we have to seize our opportunities.”

Gregoritsch misses with latte

The ÖFB-Elf did not want to act headless, but instead wanted to play for the win, as far as the plan is concerned against the Romanians, which after the defeats in the EM semi-final play-off against Iceland (1: 2) and in the Nations Leaue v Norway (0: 4) for reparations and for the Austrians they were therefore difficult to assess. Unsurprisingly, the hosts first tried to control the game in front of the empty stands at Stadionul Ilie Oana, which they succeeded in places without coming to a conclusion.

ÖFB goalkeeper Pavao Pervan had to intervene for the first time in the eighth minute of the game after a shot by Razvan Marin from the edge of the area, which saved without problems. Martin Hinteregger had already brought the color into play before that, who was booked by referee Daniel Stefanski (POL) for a foul. The ÖFB team was dangerous by Xaver Schlager, who piloted the ball past the right post from close range (14th). From a similar distance, Michael Gregoritsch missed seven minutes later at the crossbar in the Austrians’ best chance to date.

A moment of shock before the break

After initial pressure from the hosts, the Austrians had long taken over. The technically savvy Romanians had little room to design the game, the Austrians’ preflight worked. In the few potentially dangerous situations, goalkeeper Pervan stepped in to clarify the situation in due time. Combat and physical effort were triumphs for both sides. There were no opportunities for this. Neutralized, the game went on for long periods.

Alexandru Maxim caused a moment of commotion in the 43rd minute when he finished off in the penalty area, but the ball was deflected and headed for the goal-out. Pervan took the next corner on the second try. With a shot from Denis Alibec, the Austrian goalkeeper was again controlled immediately before the break, thanks to a strong save that saved the 0-0 at half-time, which may not have been inconvenient for the Austrians at the moment.

Everything opens up after switching sides

However, without line-up changes, the Austrians and Romanians left the huts. Both teams barely had time to warm up: Shortly after the restart, Romanian Alibec was not hit offside, in exchange Julian Baumgartlinger missed the opposing goal by a hair. Goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu would have had no chance.

After 53 minutes, the endangered Hinteregger Hoffenheim legionnaire Stefan Posch had to make room on the ÖFB side, not to the delight of the Frankfurt defender, who was openly surprised. Foda changed the defense to a chain of three with Aleksander Dragovic, Stefan Ilsanker and Posch.

Schöpf’s redeeming blow

In the 63rd minute, Schlager headed forward, but curved the ball inches to the left of Tatarusanu’s goal. With a brilliant save, the Romanian goalkeeper immediately parried a shot from Christoph Baumgartner from close range. The Austrians’ Sturm und Drang phase initially went unrewarded, although Foda had already started to celebrate goals several times. The decision in favor of the ÖFB teams was a logical consequence.

After a pass from David Alaba to the center, Baumgartner stopped the ball and passed it to Schöpf, who hit the far corner and rewarded the Austrians for their fighting spirit (75th). Foda took a deep breath and immediately pulled the Schalke legionnaire out of the game. For Schöpf, who had done his job with his fourth goal in the ÖFB suit, Ranftl came in the last quarter of an hour. Not much more happened. The Austrians skillfully achieved the lead and ultimately won not undeservedly.

UEFA Nations League, matchday four

Wednesday:

Romania – Austria 0: 1 (0: 0)

Ploiesti, Ilie Oana Stadium, SR Stefanski (POL)

Target: 0: 1 tablespoon (75 °)

Romania: Tatarusanu – Balasa, Burca, Tosca, Bancu – Maxim (62./Cicaldau), Marin, Stanciu (83./Iancu) – Deac (83./Puscas), Alibec (62./Keserü), Mitrita (76./Hagi )

Austria: Pervan – Lainer, Dragovic, Hinteregger (53./Posch), Alaba – Ilsanker, Baumgartlinger (76./Grillitsch) – Schöpf (76./Ranftl), X. Schlager, Baumgartner – Gregoritsch (90./Kalajdzic)

Yellow cards: Burca, Deac or Baumgartner, Gregoritsch, Hinteregger, Alaba