Gregoritsch Sees ÖFB Team Well Positioned with Forwards

If Marko Arnautovic ends his career, he himself could still play for a while, said Michael Gregoritsch on Thursday at the team camp in Windischgarsten. Additionally, the Styrian relies on the recovery of Sasa Kalajdzic and the rise of newcomer Raul Florucz.

Gregoritsch does not want to compare ÖFB strikers to Messi and Co.

The discussion is not new. "Since I've been in the national team, we've always been desperately searching for strikers," said Gregoritsch, who moved from Freiburg to Bröndby in Copenhagen this summer, about the public perception. At that time, they still had Marc Janko, a striker with a very, very good record. "I believe that Messi, Ronaldo, and Haaland have spoiled us all a bit," said Gregoritsch. "Because these goal-scoring rates are inhuman."

With a good record, Florucz joined the team. The 24-year-old has scored four goals in six league games for Union Saint-Gilloise. The ÖFB newcomer, who has only played one international match, could bring out even more of himself, said Gregoritsch. "I believe he has great potential. He has an extremely good left foot, also knows where he needs to run to be dangerous." Additionally, Florucz plays for the reigning national champion and Champions League participant. "If he maintains his scoring rate there, I am very, very sure that he will become indispensable for the national team in the short or medium term."

Gregoritsch's scoring accuracy in the ÖFB team

Recently, it was Gregoritsch himself. He has scored a goal in five of the last seven international matches, including in June in both World Cup qualifying opening matches against Romania (2:1) and San Marino (4:0). Fifteen of his 21 goals for Austria so far have come in just over three years under Rangnick. "On the one hand, it has to do with the playing system. We bring many balls into situations where I can be dangerous," explained Gregoritsch. "We often win the ball very far forward, and I am often the target player in set pieces." Additionally, his now greater experience contributes to this.

The core of the national team has been together since 2018. Team spirit is no longer just something that is publicly talked about. "For three years, it has been such an extraordinary relationship that we can achieve things," said Gregoritsch, who is expected to be in the starting lineup for the fifth international match of the year on Saturday (8:45 PM/live on ServusTV) in Linz against Cyprus in the continuation of the World Cup qualifiers. In his previous four appearances at the new Linz stadium, the 66-time international has always scored. "I don't need to say that I gain confidence when I come into a familiar environment. But it's not a wish concert."

Gregoritsch with a Good Feeling at Bröndby

His environment at the club is new. "It was a challenge to try something new," said Gregoritsch, who previously only knew German as a football language. When the Bröndby option emerged in early August, it triggered something in him. The logo of the traditional club was a familiar term from his childhood days. "There were a few signs where I felt extremely comfortable." He therefore signed "blindly" without having looked at the conditions - and that for three years.

1.5 million euros were transferred to Freiburg, but Bröndby has not yet achieved a victory in the four competitive matches with Gregoritsch in the center of the attack. "If we really want to play for titles, we need to tighten up a bit, that's clear," said the striker, who has fellow Austrian goalkeeper Patrick Pentz by his side. "He has been a help and still is."

Some customs are different in Denmark than in Germany - for example, meeting at the stadium only an hour and a half before the match starts. "I haven't seen a banknote yet. The country is very efficient and smart in many things," reported Gregoritsch. "We now have everything on an app, which is exciting and cool. Digitalization is still lacking in Austria and Germany."

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(APA/Red)

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