Why ÖFB goalscorer Romano Schmid was sad after the European Championship spectacle

“My wife will need a little support from me, so as a father you are sad when you can’t get to know your son in the early stages. But I will make up for that. You also give me the strength I need to deliver,” the young man poured out his heart.

Clear answers

The heart that he had previously left on the pitch and that he regularly puts on the table when you talk to him. Anyone who speaks to him gets clear answers. Like in the catacombs of the Olympic Stadium, after the scorer of the 2-1 lead was asked to rate his performance. “Extraordinary,” said the Styrian, who had surprisingly slipped into the starting lineup. “I’m grateful to have been given such a chance. I think I made the most of it. I showed that I can be counted on. If you need me, I’m there.”

Apparently, it has always been like this. “The bigger the game, the more prominent the opponent, the stronger Romano has always been,” recalls Hermann Stadler. The youth team manager has known Schmid since his time in the U-15 national team. He is therefore all the less surprised that his former protégé scored his first international goal at the European Championships.

Romano Schmid sees himself as destined for big games. But anyone who thinks he only gives his all in those games is wrong. “He wanted to be the best in every training session and in every game and always only play in the number ten position,” says Stadler. And if he wasn’t the best one day? “Then he could complain.”

Romano Schmid stands up for himself when he feels unappreciated. You hear that from companions here and there, and it also became apparent shortly before the European Championships. With a smile, but in all seriousness, he recalled in a group of journalists what he saw as overly critical reporting in the past. “You’re 16, 17 years old and you’re only criticized by one format. If things don’t go well, of course you fall off the wagon. But I fought my way out, you can see that,” said the attacking midfielder, who is not considered a model professional because he doesn’t drink a drop of alcohol. He has been playing for Werder Bremen since 2020, and last season he became a key player.

Ralf Rangnick noticed this too. “The development he has made in the last year is unbelievable,” said the team manager, amazed not only by the header goal scored by the 1.68 meter tall player. When Rangnick talks about development, he means above all the game against the ball, i.e. the defensive behavior. This is how he got on the nerves of the Dutch. Schmid won the ball ten times. Only five players have managed that in one match at this European Championship.

Stark am Ball

In the second half, he also shone with the ball, which he was often able to hold, slowing down the pace and giving his teammates time to catch their breath. And finally, as an executor – and that is certainly particularly good. Because Romano Schmid is often told that he is not cool enough in front of the goal. This was also a topic of discussion in Bremen. “It really annoys him and he is fighting against this reputation,” says Bild journalist Markus Balczuweit, who watches every Werder Bremen game.

Romano Schmid will not be able to shake off another reputation so quickly. That of the caring family man who, shortly after scoring his first goal at the European Championships, is sad because he doesn’t see his three-week-old Emilio, and probably not even on his Thursday off. Schmid has been with his wife Celine since he was 14. He’s sure to see that level of consistency on the pitch soon. It’s not long until the next big game.