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The originally nominated Norwegian team kickers were given a ten-day quarantine by the national health authority due to a positive coronavirus test by Galatasaray player Omar Elabdellaoui. Therefore, the away game against Romania scheduled for Sunday could not be played, the match should have a 3-0 rating for the Romanians.
This in turn means that Austria have already finished first in a draw against the Norwegians three points behind. Even a 1-0 loss would be enough for the top spot due to the Austrians’ 2-1 in Oslo in September. If the ÖFB team finishes in first place, they will compete against the best nations in the next edition of the Nations League and have a good chance of reaching the play-off should they fail to qualify for the World Cup.
Decision against Norway
The Austrian national team will face Norwegian Notelf on Wednesday as part of the Nations League. Even with a draw, the ÖFB team can fix the group victory.
Target unchanged
The team leader, Franco Foda, does not want to miss this opportunity. “We really want to win, regardless of the constellation Norway plays in. It is essential that we act as we did in Norway ”, explained the German.
Foda does not want to be influenced too much by the turbulence of the enemy. “For us nothing changes in the starting position. We always had a plan to win the game. We are favorites, so we have to act accordingly. ” The upside down selection of the Scandinavians should not be underestimated. “Newcomers play an important role in their clubs, so it’s a good team,” the 54-year-old emphasized.
UEFA Nations League
Wednesday, 8.45 pm:
Living in ORF1
Austria – Norway
Vienna, Ernst Happel Stadium, SR Bastien (FRA)
Possible configurations:
Austria: Pervan – Lainer, Ilsanker, Hinteregger, Ulmer – X. Schlager, Baumgartlinger, Sabitzer, Alaba – Arnautovic, Grbic
Norway: Braatveit – Vindheim, Hanche-Olsen, Gabrielsen, Skjelvik – Evjen, Möller-Dähli, Askildsen, Zahid – Strand Larsen, Berisha
Focus on your own team
Foda and his support team were busy on Monday analyzing current Norwegian team players and interim coach Leif Gunnar Smerud. According to Foda, the regular U21 supervisor relies primarily on a 4-4-2, but has also set up a 5-3-2 system.
According to the ÖFB coach, the focus is on his own troops anyway. “We have to concentrate on the essentials, on our game. It is an end game in which we have to re-invest everything. Of course it is an extraordinary match, but we still have a big goal in mind. Now we also want to take the last step. “
Without lack of creativity
His side have won the last five games, but there have been repeated criticisms recently, even after Sunday’s boring 2-1 against Northern Ireland. In this context, Foda again pointed out that it is not easy to shine against a deeply rooted opponent. “Attacking football is always the hardest part, defending is a little easier.”
The coach sees no lack of creativity in the offensive game of the ÖFB team. “We also know that we can play better, but we also have to remember that we have scored five goals in the last two games,” Foda said. After six victories in the previous seven international matches, his team is the most successful national team in Europe this year based on average points. The real litmus test will not come until 2021 with qualification for the World Cup and the MS.
Norway speculates with surprise
Norway’s acting team boss Leif Gunnar Smerud knows the starting position well. “The Austrians are the big favorites, they have a lot of experience,” said the regular U21 coach. Despite the recent turbulence, Smerud speculates in surprise. “The Austrians are playing a hungry team, we’ll see what happens. Everyone who plays for us will try to seize their opportunity, ”Smerud said.
The coach did not provide any information about the line-up and only revealed that Mats Möller Dähli will act as captain. Legionnaire Genk was sure too. “We are outsiders, but we have a lot of exciting players with us. If we put it right, we’ll see how it goes, “said the midfielder. In any case, “enthusiasm” can be felt within the short-term list, Möller Dähli said.
