Austria’s soccer team boss Franco Foda had his full 24-man squad available for the first time this week in Klagenfurt on Wednesday evening. Rapid striker Ercan Kara, who was absent the day before due to stress control reasons, also trained with the team on the training ground next to the Wörthersee Stadium. Before the World Cup qualifier against Israel, the final training session in the stadium is on the program on Thursday evening (5 p.m.).
So far, the focus in the training week has been, among other things, on defensive order in one’s own attacks. At 2: 5 in Israel in September, the Austrians ran into several counterattacks. “The point is that when we lose the ball, we put the chain straight back in so that we can regain the ball quickly,” said striker Karim Onisiwo. “Determination in the last third” is also required from the offensive. “We have to play our moves consistently to the end.”
According to Onisiwo, goals were also on the agenda in the first training sessions. Some players stayed longer on the pitch to work on themselves individually. “You can see that everyone is eager to show something here again,” said the Mainz attacker. Refusals were also largely absent. In addition to long-term injuries Stefan Lainer, Xaver Schlager, Julian Baumgartlinger, Valentino Lazaro and Sasa Kalajdzic, only Konrad Laimer and substitute goalkeeper Alexander Schlager are missing.
Onisiwo praised Foda’s video analytics. “We always discuss the games well with each other.” The 29-year-old hopes that the German will be able to keep his position beyond the two games against Israel and on Monday against the Republic of Moldova. “We have to stick together and win games. If we win games, the whole issue will calm down all around. “
