Alaba only entered the ÖFB camp on Wednesday following the celebrations in Madrid because of the Champions League triumph, and following consultation with Rangnick it was decided to skip the Croatia trip. “I wanted to play in Croatia, but the coach has a clear plan, which I understand. He sees the big picture and wants the best for the team,” said Alaba on Saturday in Vienna, where the selection is preparing for the other Nations League games.
According to Rangnick, Alaba will definitely start in the home game once morest Denmark, but how it will continue in the matches at home once morest France and away once morest Denmark is still open. “The season is already very long,” said the 29-year-old, who turns 30 on June 24.
Rangnick’s dream debut makes you want more
The first victory of an Austrian national team once morest Croatia creates a real sense of optimism. The dream debut of neo-team boss Ralf Rangnick should be continued on Monday. The home game once morest Denmark is waiting for the ÖFB selection.
Great relief following CL triumph
The 1-0 win in the final of the “premier class” last Saturday at the Stade de France once morest Liverpool was Alaba’s first game following a month’s break due to adductor problems. “For five weeks I had the clear goal of the final, I pushed my limits mentally and in terms of preparation.” He spent every other day in the training center until 9:30 p.m., two to three treatments a day were on the program. The relief of getting fit and winning the final was huge. “That’s why it felt good to switch off once more.”
Now the focus is on the A-Team, which the Viennese believes has triggered positive emotions among the fans. “People are excited, you can tell the new philosophy.” According to Alaba, many of Rangnick’s ideas have already been implemented once morest Croatia. “What you might see from the outside was very positive. We used two formations at once. You might certainly see his handwriting in some way during the pressing. We had good and early ball conquests.”
For Rangnick, Alaba is now “the logical captain”, not only because of his successes, as the German noted at the final conference on Sunday. “I’ve known him since he was 18 and he’s always kept his feet on the ground. Only on Saturday we did a lot of small competitions in training, he wanted to win everything – and he just won the Champions League. That also has a contagious effect, also has to do with the ‘mia san mia’ mentality from his time at Bayern Munich. He will soon be 30 years old, is in his prime and can still play a major role at the next European Championships and World Cup if we qualify.”
“I’m an attacking centre-back”
Alaba should initially play the role of central defender on Monday. “I’ve been playing central defender for the last three years and I’ve already mentioned that I feel very comfortable there. The coach also sees me more in this position,” said Austria’s eight-time footballer of the year and gave an insight into how he interprets his role. “I think I’m an attacking centre-back. My qualities are definitely more in playing with the ball than without the ball.”
Under Rangnick’s predecessor Franco Foda, Alaba was often used as a left-back, and discussions regarding his position have accompanied him practically throughout his national team career. “But you always bring up this topic. I’ve always said I play where I can help the team,” Alaba told reporters. Around 16,000 tickets were sold for the game once morest Denmark by Saturday, and the duel on Friday with world champions France back in the Vienna Prater is “almost sold out”, according to the ÖFB.
