ÖFB Team Wants to Secure Nations League Promotion Against Serbia Despite Absences
On Thursday in Vienna and on Sunday in Belgrade, the ÖFB team will face Serbia in the Nations League Playoff. The goal is to advance to the top Nations League division and simultaneously conduct a final form test before the qualification for the 2026 Football World Cup starting in June.
ÖFB Team Aims to Return to Top Nations League Division Against Serbia
Participation in the 2026 finals in North America is of absolute priority for the ÖFB selection, but the duels with the Serbs are more than just a trial run, emphasized Marco Grüll, Nicolas Seiwald, and Patrick Wimmer on Monday at the team camp in Vienna. "We are not going in as if they were friendly matches. We want to return to the highest league," said Grüll. Seiwald agreed with the Werder professional. "It's cool to compete with the best." Wimmer expressed similarly: "We take these games very seriously because we want to play against the best nations, and the playoff games against Serbia are better than friendly matches," explained the Lower Austrian, who scored his only international goal against the Serbs in the Euro test last June in Vienna (2:1).
Wimmer "Enjoys" New Role as Number Eight in Wolfsburg
For his club Wolfsburg, Wimmer has already scored four times this season. Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl recently regularly deployed the regular winger in the half-left number eight position in the center. "I feel comfortable there, and it's also good for me that I can play multiple positions," said the 23-year-old. By being in the center, he can act more variably. "I am an instinctive footballer who always does what comes to mind. If I can go in both directions, it's easier for me," explained Wimmer. "I can pick up balls in midfield and approach the chain with tempo dribbles, I can solve many actions under pressure, and I enjoy it when I have the ball at my feet." In recent years, he has already been deployed in many roles. "Only the inner cover and goalkeeper are missing for me at the professional level," Wimmer said with a smile. Unlike the former Austrian, Seiwald is a classic central player, and recently he had a rather unfamiliar partner in this position at Leipzig. As against Union Berlin, Christoph Baumgartner also played as a number eight against Dortmund on Saturday. "It's not a problem for him. I like playing with 'Baumi', he is a very game-intelligent guy," reported Seiwald.
Joy in the ÖFB Team Over Alaba's Comeback
Seiwald and his colleagues are also happy to play with Alaba - the captain is on board for the first time since overcoming a knee injury in November 2023. "With him, there is a different energy. He is an extremely important person for us not only on the field but also off it," emphasized Seiwald. Wimmer added: "David is an outstanding player, a role model for all of us. We can be very proud to gain so much quality." Alaba is back, but many other regular players are absent. "We know the quality of those who are missing. Nevertheless, we have enough quality in the squad and will field a strong team," asserted Wimmer. Seiwald also remained calm. "We know what we can do and what our goals are in these two games." Compared to last year, there is still plenty of room for improvement, said the Salzburg player, who has played all of the last 25 international matches. "In 2024, we played very consistently overall, yet we weren't there in the most important situations," said Seiwald, referring to the European Championship round of 16 exit against Turkey or the missed Nations League group victory against Slovenia in Vienna. "We still need to improve there, and that also comes with experience."
Grüll Speculates on Playing in Nations League Playoff
Seiwald and Wimmer are likely to be set for Thursday, and Grüll can also hope for playing time in the national team. This last happened last year in the 2:1 win against Serbia. Since then, the offensive player has established himself at Werder Bremen. "It is definitely an advantage if you play in a different league than in Austria. You play and train at a different level. Therefore, the chance is higher to get more playing time in the team," explained Grüll. "No one likes to just be there and sit on the bench, but we also have a lot of quality in the squad."
(APA/Red)
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