Why an ÖFB record against South Korea is not important for Rangnick

The Austrians suffered their last home defeat to date on October 13, 2023 in the European Championship qualifiers in Vienna Belgium (2:3) conceded. Since then there have been nine wins and three draws in our own country. The ÖFB record The current selection shares twelve home games without defeat with that from 1922 to 1925 under team boss Hugo Meisl or that from 1971 to 1975 Leopold Stastny. “If we’re here, then of course we want to win the games,” said Rangnick. “We want to develop the joy of playing and leave little to the opponent – all these things that make controlling the game.”

Alaba before a short comeback

According to ÖFB information, 31,500 tickets had been sold by midday on Monday. In contrast to the Ghana game, the paying visitors should too David Alaba seen on the field. The ÖFB captain has after his most recent Calf injury Recently trained fully for several days. “The plan is for him to come into the game for the last 20 to 25 minutes,” revealed Rangnick.

The key players who were rested in the first international match of the year after minor knee problems Konrad Laimer and Xavier Schlager will return to the starting lineup. According to Rangnick, this one will too Patrick Wimmer belong, but not Nicolas Seiwald. “With him we know what we’re getting, what we have. He doesn’t have to show himself again now,” said the head coach about the midfielder RB Leipzig.

Seiwald was the only ÖFB player to play against Ghana on Friday and scored his first goal in the finish of his 45th international match. Rangnick thought it was long overdue. “He gives us enormous defensive stability in the midfield.” The 24-year-old has also improved enormously in his forward play in recent months. Rangnick: “That was also necessary if he wanted to develop further on the way to becoming a top international player.”

Wanner, Chukwuemeka and the “certain carefreeness”

Seiwald will also be used during the game. According to his own statement, Rangnick wants to make use of all eleven substitution options. goalkeeper Patrick Pentz should play through “if nothing unforeseen happens”. Had against Ghana Alexander Schlager and Florian Wiegele one half each guarded the goal. Tobias Lawal Adductor problems now robbed him of his chance.

Paul Wanner and Carney Chukwuemeka will receive another one after their dream debuts – whether from the start remains to be seen. “We already knew that they could kick well. Nevertheless, it was of course a perfect debut,” said Rangnick about the duo’s strong second half against Ghana. “That was nice, but they have to prove it again. The competition is great.”

This applies particularly in the midfield due to the changes in formation of Wanner and Chukwuemeka. “They give us a completely different quality in the game that they can bring, also a certain carefree attitude that they should maintain,” said Rangnick. The other ÖFB actors would not give up their places so easily. Rangnick: “That’s how it should be, that’s how it has to be.”

South Korea with top star Son

The South Koreans are expected to have their current best line-up – i.e. with a captain and a record national player Son Heung-min as a storm leader. Rangnick said that he was 18 years old HSV to Hoffenheim wanted to get. “We basically agreed.” Ultimately nothing came of the deal. After a successful decade at Tottenham, the now 33-year-old has been joining the club since the summer Los Angeles FC in the MLS.

In Saturday’s 4-0 defeat against the Ivory Coast Son became a PSG professional after a slight cold Lee Kang-in just substituted. Before the embarrassment in Milton Keynes, the Koreans had won three friendly matches in a row in the autumn, but also suffered a 5-0 defeat against Brazil. “You showed a bit of two faces,” said Rangnick. “We assume that they want to react and show their better side. We are prepared for that.”

South Korea, ranked number 22 in the provisional FIFA world rankings three positions ahead of Austria, would always put a lot of players behind the ball. “They are very compact, tactically disciplined and have a lot of fast players,” said Rangnick. “They are good in the transition game. We don’t assume that we will score three or four goals in passing again. We have to pave the way first and make sure we have control over the game. That’s what will matter.”