Football World Cup Qualifiers: ÖFB Team Ahead of "Six-Point Game" Against Bosnia

"We can take a huge step, we are aware of that," said ÖFB team coach Ralf Rangnick. Bosnia has won its first four games in Group H, while the ÖFB team has three wins from three games. The ÖFB team has never started a European or World Cup qualification with four wins before. If they succeed, the chances of participating in the 2026 finals in North America would be significantly increased, and the end of the World Cup drought since 1998 would be in sight. "It is already an important game, in a way a six-point game," said Rangnick.

"Charged" Atmosphere Awaits ÖFB Team in Football World Cup Qualifiers

His team will not aim for a draw. "Our style of play is not designed to get a point," emphasized Rangnick. The situation in the table would still be the same with a draw. The third contender, Romania, might speculate with a draw. "But not us, we will throw everything into the balance," promised Rangnick. The Bosnians rightly stand where they are. "They have some experienced players who have had a good career. We are aware that we need a performance that comes close to our performance limit. That is exactly what we are striving for."

A detailed analysis of the opponent with the team was planned only after arriving in Bosnia. Rangnick also wants to prepare his team for the "certainly charged" atmosphere in the tight, 13,600-capacity Bilino Polje stadium. "We know what is coming at us," said the German. "Of course, they will try to keep the game at a certain emotional level, we are used to that." His players would also know this from their club teams. "That is not something I am worried will impress us."

For Rangnick, it is more about implementing their own match plan on the field than Bosnia's qualities. The performance improvement after the break in the hard-fought 1-0 win on Saturday in Linz against Cyprus gives hope. "This time we are playing away against an opponent who is also in the situation of having to make the game themselves in their own stadium," said Rangnick.

Whether the Bosnians will do the ÖFB team the favor of opening up after ball recoveries remains to be seen. Bosnian media do not expect team coach Sergej Barbarez's lineup to be too offensive. Veteran Edin Dzeko could start as a lone striker, with Stuttgart attacker Ermedin Demirovic taking a seat on the bench. "In the end, it also depends on how we shape the game, in which direction it then develops," emphasized Rangnick. "That also has something to do with our approach. I already have certain ideas about how it must look for us to bring our strengths to bear."

Changes in ÖFB Team Starting Lineup

With which starting formation he wants to do this, Rangnick did not reveal. However, it seems quite possible that the eleven who were on the field at the beginning of the second half against Cyprus will start. This would mean Michael Gregoritsch would replace Marko Arnautovic in the center of the attack, and on the right wing, Romano Schmid, who was also substituted at halftime, would start instead of Patrick Wimmer. "It's about being rested - and of course fit and healthy," explained Rangnick. "We will definitely only send fit players into the game."

This seems to apply to David Alaba. The ÖFB captain, who traveled without a competitive season match for Real Madrid due to his injury problems, was in action for 70 minutes against Cyprus. According to Rangnick, there is nothing against the 33-year-old being in the starting lineup again. "I also assume that he can start." Alaba himself would see no problem in playing a full 90-minute international match for the second time after his cruciate ligament tear in 2023. "But let's see how the game goes," said the Viennese. "I feel good, I feel ready."

The final training session on Monday noon in Windischgarsten was still focused on regeneration. "There are many indications that all players are ready for action," said Rangnick in his press conference in Sarajevo in the evening. Only the suspended defender Stefan Posch did not make the trip.

Away Performances of the ÖFB Team Give Hope

Alaba missed the qualifying opener in June against Romania (2:1) and in San Marino (4:0). "We showed at home against Romania what we are capable of," said Rangnick. "That was a really strong game from us for long stretches." He was also optimistic about the away performances in the last European Championship qualifiers in Sweden (3:1) and Belgium (1:1). "We need our game at this level in Bosnia as well," said the 67-year-old. "We are looking forward to the game and are trying to take a big step towards the World Cup."

The referee is not a good omen. Both previous matches under the direction of Spaniard Jesus Gil Manzano were lost by the Rangnick selection - in October 2023 in the European Championship qualifier at home against Belgium (2:3) and at the European Championship last year against France (0:1).

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(APA/Red)

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