6. September 2023
Konrad Laimer (from left) leads the ÖFB team back onto the field as captain today. © APA/EXPA/Eisenbauer
164 days after the 2-1 draw against Estonia in the European Championship qualifier, Austria’s national football team returns to Linz’s Raiffeisen Arena on Thursday (8.30 p.m./live Servus TV). The friendly against Moldova, number 164 in the FIFA world rankings, serves as a dress rehearsal for Tuesday’s qualifying hit against Sweden in Stockholm.
“In view of this duel, it will also be a kind of qualifying,” explained team boss Ralf Rangnick. For the race in Scandinavia, captain David Alaba will of course be on the front row of the grid and will therefore not start from the start.
“Depending on the course of the game, he might not be used at all in order to be completely rested for Sweden,” explained the team manager. As in the Estonia duel, Bayern legionnaire Konrad Laimer will take over as captain. “Of course it’s a great honor,” emphasized the 26-year-old.
“Take the game seriously”
He also assures that the game against the football dwarf will not be taken lightly. “If you’re not always at 100 percent, that’s never good. You have to take the game just as seriously. If you go into the game and tackle duels with such a half attitude, things tend to happen,” emphasized Laimer, adding: “We want to bring the best possible performance onto the pitch. It is also my responsibility that this happens.”
Marko Arnautovic will also help. “He will certainly play a half,” said Rangnick. The German would still like to have more opportunities to swap on Thursday. According to UEFA’s statutes, only six substitutions are allowed in friendly matches: “I don’t understand the rule. I would like to change eleven times.”
To get in the mood, there was a barbecue evening in Windischgarsten on Wednesday. “Excessive alcohol”, as the coach emphasized, was of course avoided. The thirst for victory should therefore still be there on Thursday.
By Christian Baumberger
2023-09-07 01:21:07
#Linz #qualifying #Stockholm
