Nations League: Hjulmand sees a positive ÖFB future

The ideas of the German could already be seen in the 3-0 win of the Austrians in Croatia. “Very high intensity, fast and high pressing, lots of vertical runs,” said the Danish coach, describing the Rangnick philosophy. “You will see in the next year or two that the Austrian team will develop well.”

Hjulmand emphasized that the victories of his team in last year’s World Cup qualifier against Austria should not be overestimated. “I also remember the first hour of the 4-0 win in Vienna, when it was balanced. We played very well for the last half hour and it was a great result that overshadowed the phase before that.” The 1-0 win in Copenhagen was “very complicated” for Denmark. That’s why you don’t see yourself as a favourite. “It’s going to be a close game.”

“Great Victory” in France

The 1992 European champion traveled to Austria with the confidence of a 2-1 win in France. “That was a big win, our performance was on a very high level. But there are still things we can improve,” says Hjulmand. It’s important to stay in the flow. “After a win like that, it’s a mental thing to keep going.”

Hjulmand’s worries aren’t too great, however, that his selection could dwindle. “We’re very hungry,” said the team boss, who has to do without the injured Kasper Dolberg (Nice/shoulder) and Simon Kjaer (Milan/knee). Also absent is Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), who became a father on Sunday.

Statistics speak for Denmark

Not only these failures forced Hjulmand to improvise – the Danes were originally supposed to land in Vienna on Saturday in the early afternoon, but the departure from Paris was delayed by almost five hours. Therefore, the training planned for Saturday evening in Vienna was cancelled. “But no problem,” said Hjulmand. His team will be supported by around 800 away fans at the Happel Stadium on Monday.

A look at the statistics does not bode well from an Austrian point of view. All four previous competition games against the European champion of 1992 were lost. In March of the previous year, the 4-0 loss in the World Cup qualifier in the Prater was the ÖFB team’s heaviest defeat in a competitive game in their own country.

Austria’s international record against Denmark

11 games – 4 wins, 1 draw, 6 defeats (goal difference 14:20)

November 5, 1950 (FS), Vienna: Austria – Denmark 5:1

17 May 1951 (FS), Copenhagen: Denmark 3-3 Austria

May 19, 1982 (FS), Vienna: Austria – Denmark 1-0

12 September 1984 (FS), Copenhagen: Denmark 3-1 Austria

27 April 1988 (FS), Vienna: Austria – Denmark 1-0

5 June 1991 (EM-Q), Odense: Denmark 2-1 Austria

9 October 1991 (EM-Q), Vienna: Austria – Denmark 0:3

March 3, 2010 (FS), Vienna: Austria – Denmark 2:1

16 October 2018 (FS), Herning: Denmark – Austria 2-0

March 31, 2021 (WM-Q), Vienna: Austria – Denmark 0: 4

October 12, 2021 (WM-Q), Copenhagen: Denmark – Austria 1-0

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