David Alaba Celebrates Comeback in Austrian National Team Squad for Nations League Playoff Against Serbia
Raul Florucz, who plays in Slovenia, is in the ÖFB squad for the Nations League playoff games against Serbia next week for the first time. David Alaba can play again for the first time after his serious knee injury at the end of 2023. Also nominated were the recently injured Xaver Schlager and the returning Stefan Lainer.
David Alaba Last in the ÖFB Squad in November 2023
ÖFB captain Alaba played his last international match on November 21, 2023, in a friendly against Germany (2:0). Six months or 485 days later, the Real Madrid defense star could make his comeback in the ÖFB jersey next Thursday (March 20, 8:45 PM/live ORF 1) in Vienna against the Serbs. It would be his 106th international match. To what extent Alaba will be available for both matches - the return match takes place three days later in Belgrade - is uncertain. "I don't think it's very likely that he can play the entire time in both games," said Rangnick.
Basically, he is glad that Alaba can be there again. "It's good for him and for us as a team." However, we have to wait and see how the 32-year-old feels after the weekend. "We still have to keep in mind that we need to keep him healthy." Alaba made his comeback for Real in January after more than a year of injury break. In February, the Viennese also struggled with adductor problems.
ÖFB Squad for Nations League Playoff: Florucz with "Really Good Stats"
Florucz could make his debut. With twelve season goals for Olimpija Ljubljana, the 23-year-old currently leads the scoring list of the Slovenian league. In addition, there are five assists. "For a player who doesn't always play in the center forward position, but mostly comes from the right wing as a left-footer, that's a really good stat," said Rangnick. Florucz was preferred in attack over Freiburg striker Junior Adamu, who only appears on the standby list. For the first time, Rapid youngster Nikolaus Wurmbrand is also on that list.
Andreas Weimann is absent due to injury. Rangnick hopes that Sasa Kalajdzic will become a topic by the start of the World Cup qualification in June. In defense, the German has to do without Maximilian Wöber and Michael Svoboda, as well as right-back Stefan Posch. Phillipp Mwene could take over his role. Bayern Munich right-back Konrad Laimer, who usually plays a step further forward in the ÖFB team, is suspended for the first leg against the Serbs.
This could also open up a chance for Lainer. The Mönchengladbach legionnaire made his ÖFB comeback a year ago after overcoming lymph node cancer. In June, he fell victim to the last squad reduction before the European Championship in Germany and has not been called up since. "He is a player who knows what it's about," said Rangnick about the 32-year-old. "He also knows the style of play from his time in Salzburg. That's why we decided to include him."
Xaver Schlager Primarily for Training Purposes in ÖFB Squad for Nations League Playoff
The recently ill offensive supports Christoph Baumgartner and Patrick Wimmer are also in the squad, as is somewhat surprisingly Xaver Schlager. The midfielder from RB Leipzig has recently been troubled by knee problems following his cruciate ligament tear. The 27-year-old has not played a competitive match this year. "It will not yet be the case that we see him as a 100 percent full-fledged squad player," explained Rangnick. Schlager will train and also undergo treatments. "Theoretically, it is also possible that he will be used at the end of both games."
Practically, Rangnick has prepared with a 25-man squad, thus two more outfield players than usual. One of them is Feyenoord Rotterdam defender Gernot Trauner, who has recently been dealing with injury concerns. "He hasn't played for three weeks. Gernot is also a player who cannot be fully planned for both games," said Rangnick. With Alexander Prass, who recently sustained an injury while warming up, one must also wait and see. Trabzonspor offensive player Muhammed Cham is making an ÖFB comeback after a year-long break.
No Outfield Player from Domestic League in ÖFB Squad
The goalkeeper trio consists of Patrick Pentz, Alexander Schlager, and Tobias Lawal. Matthias Seidl has slipped onto the standby list alongside Niklas Hedl. This marks the first time in two and a half years that there is no Rapid player in the ÖFB squad. In fact, there is not a single outfield player from the domestic Bundesliga in the squad. "We do not nominate based on whether someone plays in the Austrian league or abroad," emphasized Rangnick. Dominik Fitz from Wiener Austria is on the standby list for the first time. After a long absence, Torino legionnaire Valentino Lazaro is also back on this list.
Against the Serbs, it is about promotion to League A of the Nations League. According to Rangnick, they would have preferred to secure this already in the fall against Slovenia. After a 1:1 draw in the last international match, his team must now take the detour through the playoff. For the home game against the Serbs, 43,000 tickets have been sold. According to managing director Bernhard Neuhold, the ÖFB expects a sold-out Ernst Happel Stadium. The return match to Belgrade will be with a charter from Austrian Airlines. The airline has been the new premium partner of the association since the beginning of the year.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.