When Austria was last at one in 1998 Football World Cup was there, was Romano Schmid not even in the world yet. The Styrian was born two years later Graz was born and didn’t hear any World Cup stories during his childhood. “I actually heard 0.0 from my family about any World Cup with Austria,” smiles the 25-year-old.
But he did pick up a bit of sports history. “I know that we were third once (in 1954, note) and the last victory was in 1990.” Does he have a specific image in mind? “Writing your own story is always much nicer and that’s why I only have the image in my head of us going to the World Cup.”
To make this happen, Romano Schmid has been here since Monday Cypruswhere that is ÖFB team prepared for the last two qualifying games. He doesn’t expect an easy game against the Cypriots on the island either. “This is a team that has a lot of technically strong players and that played very aggressively in the first game in Linz. I think they will be even more aggressive at home.”
Pressure and intensity
But he and his colleagues have long been prepared for this. “Relaxed but focused,” is how Schmid perceives the team these days. “I have rarely seen such good training before, where there was so much pressure and intensity.”
The shape is right. Even with himself. And that after the start to the season was not at all easy from a mental point of view. Romano Schmid wanted Werder Bremen leave and take the next step in his career, as he now explains. “Werder wouldn’t have put any obstacles in my way. But it just wasn’t the right fit,” says Schmid.
The weeks of waiting and hoping Transfer time weren’t easy for the father of two little boys. Liam is four years old, Emilio is one. And usually they’re the ones who let the young dad switch off from football the best. “It was the first time since I had my children that it was difficult at home for three or four weeks.”
The frustration
When a player changes somewhere every hour, but it’s not what you want Offer flutters in the door, it can be frustrating. “That wasn’t so cool and it did a lot to me. Luckily the transfer window closed at some point.” The clarity helped Romano Schmid get back on track. “Then it was clear to me that I had to give everything to help my team. And that’s what sets me apart. I always give full throttle in my own way.” Postscript: “And it’s just my job. I’m not doing too badly at Werder Bremen.”
And now it shows that, as some impressive figures show. 35 his Passports in the Penalty area have arrived this season. This is the highest value in the entire German Bundesliga. 27 shots on goal he prepared for his colleagues. Just one more player: David Raum from RB Leipzig.
The big one Confidence The difficult phase in his career apparently didn’t hurt the 1.68 meter short man. “We haven’t had 100 percent chances to score in every game so far. But if I still prepare most of the shots and play most of the passes in the 16, then that means I have a lot of quality in the final third and can do a lot with a little.”
On Saturday in Limassol against Cyprus, Romano Schmid can make a lot out of a little again. After all, taking part in the World Cup has rarely harmed the chances on the transfer market.