ÖFB first-choice goalkeeper? Schlager: "I'm clever enough to know..."
With Christian Zawieschitzky, Lukas Jungwirth, and Florian Wiegele, three young goalkeepers are in the ÖFB squad. Alexander Schlager assesses his situation as follows:
The Austrian national football team has four consecutive UEFA Nations League matches scheduled for late September and early October.
It kicks off with a home game against Israel (Sep 24), followed by a home game against Kosovo (Sep 27), an away match in Ireland (Oct 1), and an away game against Kosovo (Oct 4).
There has been a small upheaval. Marko Arnautovic has retired, David Alaba and Marcel Sabitzer are missing from the squad, and players like Christoph Baumgartner and Konrad Laimer are injured.
National Coach Advised Schlager to Move to Werder
At 30 years old, Alexander Schlager is one of the older players in the squad. At the World Cup, the Salzburg native was the first-choice goalkeeper for the ÖFB and delivered strong performances, but at his club Werder Bremen, he is only a reserve goalkeeper.
"The national coach also advised me to take this step," Schlager reveals in an interview with "Krone". "Regardless of what role I currently play," he adds. "But the fact that I'd rather be on the pitch doesn't need to be discussed."
Schlager: "I've Proven I Can Be Relied Upon"
A change is also evident in the ÖFB goal. Christian Zawieschitzky (19) and Lukas Jungwirth (22), two young Bundesliga goalkeepers, have been nominated for the first time. Florian Wiegele (25) is also in the squad.
Does Schlager still see himself firmly as the number one, especially given his lack of match practice at club level? "The national team is a matter close to my heart. I'm eager for new challenges and I've proven that I can be relied upon."
However, the 30-year-old also knows: "But I'm also clever enough to know that we have many young goalkeepers who are meant to take over this position at some point. That's just the way it is in football. I turned 30 this year; you don't get any younger."
