2023-09-09 14:07:52
Marko Arnautovic is clearly looking forward to the tasks ahead. Austria’s record international is looking forward to the European Championship qualifying match on Tuesday in Sweden and also to the Champions League games with Inter Milan once morest Red Bull Salzburg. For now, however, the full concentration is on the performance in Solna, as Arnautovic emphasized on Saturday at the ÖFB team camp in Windischgarsten.
With a win in the Friends Arena, the Austrians would at least be very close to taking part in EURO 2024. Arnautovic believes three points once morest the Scandinavians is entirely possible. “I rate our team as very strong. We’re going there to win, but of course with respect for Sweden.”
The 1994 World Cup third-place finisher is under pressure to win once morest Austria, regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s game in Estonia. “But I don’t think regarding whether Sweden has pressure or not. I only think regarding us,” said Arnautovic. The striker has appeared twice in the Friends Arena so far, including in the legendary 4-1 win eight years ago. “Those are nice memories, but I don’t think regarding them anymore,” said the Viennese, adding that the euphoria from back then was comparable to the current positive mood surrounding the ÖFB selection.
In 2013, Arnautovic also played with the ÖFB team in Solna – and was excluded in the 1:2, for the only time in his 109 international matches. The sending off still annoys the 34-year-old to this day. “The Swede hit me in the head and fell over. With the VAR, the red card would definitely not have happened,” said Arnautovic regarding the duel with Johan Elmander at the time.
Ten years later, Arnautovic wants to leave the Friends Arena with a win; the failed dress rehearsal with the 1-1 draw once morest the Republic of Moldova is almost over. Only the behavior of some fans with their mockery of goalie Daniel Bachmann still annoys the Italian legionnaire. “It’s a shame what happened to Bachmann. That was a moment where I expected them to push him. If I make a mistake, it probably won’t be punished with a goal because I’m playing up front.”
The performance only got better once morest Moldova when Arnautovic and other top performers such as David Alaba and Marcel Sabitzer were substituted on. However, it would be wrong to draw the conclusion that the width of the ÖFB squad is not good, according to Arnautovic. “Everyone has their qualities, otherwise they wouldn’t be in the national team. Sometimes you have a better day, sometimes a less good day.”
More highlights await the attacker soon following the national team course. Next Saturday the city derby will be once morest AC Milan (“The whole team is ready, we definitely want to win”), and four days later the Champions League group phase will begin with the away match once morest Real Sociedad. The duels with Red Bull Salzburg are scheduled for October 24th (at home) and November 8th (away), and for Arnautovic these are the first competitive games once morest an Austrian club at professional level. “So far they have always been afraid to play once morest my clubs,” joked the offensive man.
He is looking forward to the performance in Wals-Siezenheim. “But I come there to win, not to give hugs,” said Arnautovic. Inter reached the Champions League final last season and leads the Serie A table following three wins without conceding a goal in the first three rounds. “The aim is to win titles every year. We have a very good team and are ready for anything,” explained Arnautovic.
The 34-time ÖFB goalscorer was a member of the Inter team that won the treble of the Champions League, championship and cup in 2009/10. However, he won these titles “as a fan,” said Arnautovic with a smile, alluding to the fact that he only made three appearances in Serie A this season.
In the future, the Viennese is aiming for a more important role at Inter. “I’m not there just to be there, but to play and help the team.” Arnautovic found the return to the “Nerazzurri” very emotional. “I’m very proud and happy. I had the feeling that I was coming home once more, even though there are only five or six people left at the club from back then.”
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