Foda anger over ORF expert, Prohaska counters ice cold – football

2: 5! Israel leads Austria in the World Cup qualifiers on Saturday evening. The dream of direct qualification for the 2022 finals has therefore come to an end. After the meager performance against Moldova (2-0) and the embarrassment against the selection of Israel coach Willi Ruttensteiner, Austria’s team boss Franco Foda is again under criticism.

In the run-up to the EURO, it had already been considered controversial. He’s getting too little out of a strong troop of legionnaires. The playing style of the ÖFB team is too passive. The criticism fell silent due to the mostly strong appearances at the European Championship. Against the eventual triumphant Italy, after a round of 16 duel at eye level, it was only in extra time (1: 2).

After the Moldova game, Foda’s new image as a flexible coach of an intact team crumbled. It wasn’t just the style of play that was to blame. Defensive boss Martin Hinteregger said on live TV when asked about the match schedule: “What kind of plan?“A tip in the direction of the coaching team.

Gradually Foda criticizes

In Israel the weaknesses are pointed out coldly. Austria starts with a five-man chain into the game. After half an hour it is already 0: 3. Before the break, Christoph Baumgartner shortened to 1: 3. ORF expert Roman Mählich does not save criticism in the half-time analysis. He makes a commitment: “I would like us to have a system and a play area once and not keep changing.”

Moderator Rainer Pariasek hooks up and asks whether top teams don’t always have multiple systems on it. Gradually tough: “No. I don’t really see that.” He cites the domestic series champions Red Bull Salzburg as an example: “Everyone knows that they have been playing in 4-4-2 for many years. Nevertheless, they dominate.”

The second half begins. Marko Arnautovic gives the guests hope again with a dream goal. The bitter disenchantment follows. Israel scores two more goals, sends Austria home with a rebuff.

Foda defends himself

Foda is approached after the 2: 5 on Mählich’s system criticism. The team boss reacts coldly: “I can’t understand what he said. He was also a coach himself. When you saw how we played in the first half, there was harmony, we created a lot of opportunities. It was definitely not the system . “

Prohaska emphatically

Mählich colleague Herbert Prohaska steps in. The former team boss rushes to the aid of his co-expert: “I have to defend Roman, even if he doesn’t need it. The fact is, we changed the system at half-time. If he had been satisfied with it, he would not have changed it. The move to the back four didn’t bring anything. ” Prohaska refutes Foda’s argument, who does not get off well in the ORF analysis. Gradually reacts again, says in a calm tone: “I don’t feel attacked. Everything is fine. We have all been in this situation. These are then protective claims.”