Danso was last in the ÖFB squad at the European Championships in Germany and was then missing due to extensive examinations into alleged heart problems. Wöber had to miss the October course due to knee surgery.
Vienna. The most recently nominated defenders Flavius Daniliuc, Marco Friedl and Leopold Querfeld are now only on the call-off list, on which offensive man Raul Florucz from the Slovenian league leaders Olimpija Ljubljana also appears for the first time. If ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick‘s selection wins the two final Nations League games, they would finish Group 3 of League B in first place and thus be promoted to the top nations in the highest league.
The squad in detail
- Tor: Niklas Hedl (SK Rapid/1 international match), Patrick Pentz (Bröndby IF/13), Alexander Schlager (FC Red Bull Salzburg/16)
- Defense: Kevin Danso (RC Lens/23/0 goals), Philipp Lienhart (SC Freiburg/27/3), Phillipp Mwene (FSV Mainz/18/0), Stefan Posch (Bologna FC/40/2), Alexander Prass (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim/12/0), Michael Svoboda (Venezia FC/2/0), Gernot Trauner (Feyenoord Rotterdam/15/2), Maximilian Wöber (Leeds United/29/0)
- Midfield: Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig/46/17), Florian Grillitsch (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim/49/1), Konrad Laimer (FC Bayern Munich/44/5), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund/86/20), Romano Schmid (SV Werder Bremen/19/1), Matthias Seidl (SK Rapid/7/1), Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig/32/0), Kevin Stöger (Borussia Mönchengladbach/2/0), Patrick Wimmer (VfL Wolfsburg/19/1 )
- Attack: Junior Adamu (SC Freiburg/8/0), Marko Arnautovic (Inter Milan/120/39), Michael Gregoritsch (SC Freiburg/60/17), Andreas Weimann (Blackburn Rovers/25/2)
- On call: Nicolas Kristof (SV Elversberg/0), Dejan Stojanovic (SCR Altach/0) – Samson Baidoo (FC Red Bull Salzburg/1/0), Flavius Daniliuc (Hellas Verona/3/0), Marco Friedl (SV Werder Bremen/5 /0), Leopold Querfeld (Union Berlin/4/0), Thierno Ballo (WAC/0), Marco Grüll (SV Werder Bremen/5/0), Dejan Ljubicic (1. FC Köln/9/1), Florian Kainz (1. FC Köln/28/1), Maximilian Entrup (LASK/3/1), Raul Florucz (Olimpija Ljubljana/0), Arnel Jakupovic (NK Osijek/0)
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**Interview with Ralf Rangnick: Austria‘s Journey to EURO 2024**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Ralf. Austria has an exciting journey ahead heading into EURO 2024. How does it feel to lead this national team during such a pivotal moment?
**Ralf Rangnick:** It’s a tremendous honor. Austria has some amazing talent, and I’m optimistic about our potential. The support from our fans and the dedication from the players are key factors in our preparation for the tournament.
**Interviewer:** Recently, players like Kevin Danso and Maximilian Wöber faced setbacks due to health issues. How do you manage player well-being while preparing for such a big competition?
**Ralf Rangnick:** Player health and safety are paramount. We’ve had to make difficult decisions, especially with Danso undergoing thorough examinations for heart issues and Wöber recovering from knee surgery. We ensure that our medical team is closely monitoring each player’s condition so that we field the fittest squad possible.
**Interviewer:** With the upcoming Nations League matches, there’s a chance for Austria to secure promotion to the top tier. What would that mean for the team heading into EURO 2024?
**Ralf Rangnick:** Securing promotion would be a significant boost for us. It would provide invaluable experience against stronger opponents, enhancing our competitive edge ahead of the tournament. Success breeds confidence, and that’s what we’re aiming for in those final matches.
**Interviewer:** You have introduced some new faces to the squad, like Raul Florucz. What criteria do you use when selecting players?
**Ralf Rangnick:** We look for talent, form, and the ability to adapt to our playing style. Raul has shown tremendous potential in the Slovenian league, and I believe he can contribute to our squad. Giving opportunities to upcoming talents is crucial for the team’s future.
**Interviewer:** what is your vision for Austria at EURO 2024?
**Ralf Rangnick:** My vision is to play exciting, attacking football while also being solid defensively. I want the team to be a joy to watch and to be competitive against the best teams in Europe. We are daring to dream, and I believe we have the capability to make a significant impact at the tournament.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ralf. Best of luck with the upcoming matches and EURO 2024!
**Ralf Rangnick:** Thank you for having me!
