Twelve players in the current ÖFB squad are currently earning their money in the German Bundesliga. Philipp Lienhart said he knew most of the German players, but they approached the match like any other. “We don’t need to make the game bigger than it is,” said the SC Freiburg central defender.
Leipzig legionnaire Xaver Schlager even sees the duel as a “normal working day”. “Of course it’s something cool to play against them, but I can’t put a friendly game ahead of a qualifying game. It would be nice if we could meet the Germans in a competition game,” said the 26-year-old, who has only had good experiences with his big neighbor so far.
ÖFB: Good mood before the game against Germany
After a day of regeneration, Austria’s national team began training preparations for the test match against Germany in Vienna on Tuesday. At the public training session on Saturday, the euphoria surrounding the Rangnick team was clearly noticeable.
“I wouldn’t see myself as the favorite, on the contrary”
Schlager doesn’t want to let the role of favorite slip away from him against the Germans, who have been weakening in recent years. “If you take the international games, what they have under their belt and what we have, then there is a huge difference, i.e. Champions League experience. I wouldn’t see myself as the favorite, on the contrary.”
The midfielder has also seen an upward trend in the German Football Association (DFB) team since Julian Nagelsmann was signed. “I do believe that they will find their way back to their old strength.” Meanwhile, Lienhart sees a new strength in their own team.
debate
What is the balance of the ÖFB international match year?
“I think we have taken a real step forward in the last one and a half or two years. We won against Italy (2-0 friendly win in November 2022, note) and also mastered the European Championship qualification very confidently. From that point of view, I believe that the team has matured and that we have perhaps grown even closer together.”
Wöber doesn’t want to hear any “stupid sayings”.
Lienhart added: “It’s an important game because we want to end the international year well and positively. Of course, you can also present yourself to the coach again with a view to the European Championships.” For Gladbach legionnaire Wöber, it is also about the further development of the ÖFB team.
GEPA/Armin Rauthner Maximilian Wöber (r.) doesn’t want to have to hear any malicious comments after the game at his German club Gladbach
They want to show “that we can keep up with the best in the world and belong.” That’s why a good result is very important for Wöber. Also for personal reasons. “I definitely don’t want to come back to the dressing room in Gladbach and listen to any stupid sayings. “I would rather be the one who says something stupid,” said the Borussia defender with a smile.
