“We brought things together in these two games that will be remembered for a long time,” said Schöttel, referring to Christoph Baumgartner’s “world record goal” in the 2-0 win in Bratislava as well as the 6-1 shooting feast against Turkey, including a historic hat-trick Michael Gregoritsch in Vienna.
In addition, despite the absence of pillars such as David Alaba, Marko Arnautovic and Philipp Lienhart in both games as well as Marcel Sabitzer against Turkey, the team presented itself extremely calmly, emphasized the sports director. “We manage to be efficient in phases in which we are good and to overcome phases in which the opponent is good.”
GEPA/Johannes Friedl Peter Schöttel and team boss Ralf Rangnick can look forward to the European Championships with good feelings
“We have very reflective players”
Despite all the joy about the latest results, Schöttel didn’t spare any words of warning. The win against the Slovaks was “certain”, but the performance was “rather mixed”. “And the Turks showed in the first half that they can play really good football,” said the 57-year-old, recalling the problems of the ÖFB selection on Tuesday before the break.
Many team players made similar comments immediately after the final whistle in the Happel Stadium. “We have very reflective players who know how quickly things can go in any direction,” explained Schöttel. The Viennese also rated the breadth of the squad as positive. “The best thing about the Turkey match for me was the last 15 minutes. A lot of people from the second and third rows came in and the game continued as before, they even brought in more freshness, the processes were right.”
The number of EM candidates is increasing
The competition for the 23 squad positions has flared up. “Some have recently massively improved their cards. “Nevertheless, we obviously hope that our key players will come back,” said Schöttel.
debate
Who has what it takes to be an ÖFB leading player?
Arnautovic will probably have to take a break for weeks due to his muscle injury, Lienhart’s problems are currently being clarified and Alaba is facing a race against time. “We all know that things will be tight with David, but with a player like him you will definitely leave the option open until the last minute,” said Schöttel about the captain, who is currently completing his rehab after tearing a cruciate ligament in mid-December .
“You can see the solidarity”
Despite the personnel concerns, Schöttel was confident for the European Championships. “Nobody will be happy when he plays against us because you can see the solidarity in our team in every single action. Playing against a team like that is always difficult, even for a big nation.”
Confidence is high, the euphoria among the fans is ignited – in complete contrast to the last European Championship, where the ÖFB team suffered a 4-0 home defeat in World Cup qualifying against Denmark just three months before the final round. “In 2021 there was unrest and a lot of question marks as to whether things would go well. Now a lot of things are right. Nevertheless, we are humble,” emphasized Schöttel.
He doesn’t want to make any comparisons with the team three years ago. “But I can say that the current team is really good. She has become more and more stable and self-confident in the last few months.” In 2021, she managed to reach the European Championship round of 16, where the final stop against eventual European champions Italy was only after extra time. This time, the main goal for now is to get through the group phase – a difficult undertaking given the opponents France, Netherlands and Poland.
