Nations League: ÖFB team challenged on return to Oslo

Foda faces several challenges. In addition to the long international break and outstanding absenteeism, there is above all the different level of physical form of its players. Some came for vacation, some for preparation, some for games. “There are some problems, we don’t have to keep quiet about that,” said the German. “The automatisms and rhythm are still missing.”

Due to the failures of David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic, some young players will have their chance. “There will definitely be a rookie,” Foda announced. Hoffenheim youth Christoph Baumgartner and French legionary Adrian Grbic can raise your hopes. “Sure, the players are young, this is their first time. You can’t expect miracles overnight, ”Foda said. “But it is still important to see how they behave within the team.”

“It is important that we get used to it”

The team boss wants to expand his squad in order to qualify for the World Cup and the European Championship. “Planning with 20 players for next year would be negligent.” In the previous international match, a 0-1 win against Latvia last November, which also lacked a large number of regulars, neither player was recommended. 290 days later, the next opportunity exists at the empty Ullevaal stadium in Oslo. But Foda also highlighted the importance of the Nations League, in which Austria plays for promotion in Group 1 of League B: “We want to try to reach first place. It is also important that we get used to it. “

Norway lacks a manager with Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard. “We want to be the most active team and play fast with ball possession,” Foda said. He showed respect for the Norwegian offense against former Salzburg Erling Haaland. “It has a high individual quality. Our defense has shown quite often that he can look good against the best forwards. I guess then we’ll also have Haaland under control. “

Haaland ready for the first goal

The former Salzburg player wants to score his first goal in just his third international game for Norway. The first goal of “Landslag” will be a special moment, said the 20-year-old at a press conference of the Norwegian Association. So far, he has been chasing a goal in team gear for 80 minutes to no avail. Team boss Lars Lagerbäck praised the exceptional kicker. For tactical reasons, he left open whether he will be in the starting eleven against the Austrians.

Because Lagerbäck has a luxury problem in the middle of storms. In addition to Haaland and Premier League forward Joshua King (Bournemouth), who has been noticed in recent years, he also features Alexander Sörloth, the Turkish league’s shooting king. The 24-year-old has scored 24 goals in 34 league games for Trabzonspor. He was also accurately featured on the national team recently.

At least one, if not two, of the three attackers will have to put Lagerbäck on the bench against Austria. The Norwegian press has already engaged. “If Erling Braut Haaland does not play Austria from the start, provided he is fit and fresh, Lars Lagerbäck has to find another team who can train,” wrote the daily “Dagbladet”. The attacker has long been the nation’s favorite. “I’m glad we have three good forwards in the team,” Haaland said. “We have great years ahead of us.”

Open ÖFB system

It is unclear which game system Austria will use to keep the offense under control. To be prepared for an attacking duo of the Norwegians, Foda could rely on a three-way chain of defense. Key player Marcel Sabitzer would likely act as the second hanging forward in the 3-5-2 system.

In the center of the storm, Foda has to choose between Michael Gregoritsch and Grbic. Gregoritsch’s experience on the team speaks for him and Grbic’s form. The 24-year-old scored 17 goals in the French second division last season. After a transfer of ten million euros to the first division club, Lorient, he has already scored for his new club.

Foda has to control the load as there will be a home game against Romania on Monday in Klagenfurt. Not all the players trained fully this week. The team boss also expressed his misunderstanding that only three changes are allowed in the League of Nations even in times of coronavirus, in contrast to five in other national and international competitions. “Especially in the national team, where the players who arrive have more stress,” criticized Foda. “For me, from UEFA, this is irresponsible.”