Will Adamu Start? Many Question Marks in the ÖFB Team

Anyone still feeling something won't play

Rangnick wants "as many rested players on the pitch as possible, who are ready to play at a high physical level from the start." He intends to select his lineup based on these criteria.

"We certainly won't field anyone who isn't completely reloaded or is feeling anything. If we want to play truly intense football again, everyone has to be 100 percent match fit," says the German.

Gregoritsch's condition

That will likely not be the case for Michael Gregoritsch. The new captain was forced off against Israel in the first half with an ankle injury.

Rangnick offers some reassurance: "It's a pain issue, structurally nothing is broken, it's a stretched ligament. We have to wait and see if he can play. We will make the decision on matchday."

test — Sasa Kalajdzic hat gegen Israel getroffen
Foto: ©GEPA

The logical alternative would be Sasa Kalajdzic. But Rangnick is cautious: "He is an important player for us, but we must not forget that he has a certain injury history. For me, the most important thing is that he doesn't get injured again."

"He had no preseason preparation, only joined LASK late, and that's somewhat noticeable. We will calmly weigh how much playing time he can get," the national coach continued.

Adamu in the Starting XI?

That doesn't sound like a starting XI appearance against Kosovo. "There are alternatives," says Rangnick.

It's quite possible that Junior Adamu will feature for the ÖFB team again for the first time since autumn 2024. The 25-year-old started both away games for his new club Schalke 04 in the German Bundesliga, and was on the bench for both home games.

Markovic on the brink of debut

Austria's shooting star Vasilije Markovic can also hope for an appearance, which would be his debut. However, likely more as a substitute. "It's quite possible that Vaso will move to the U21s after this game," says Rangnick. Rangnick on Markovic >>>

Afterward, Konrad Laimer will rejoin the ÖFB team, ready for the two away games in Ireland and Kosovo. Rangnick's comments on this >>>

The starting XI against Kosovo is therefore difficult to predict. Given the workload management, one or two changes are definitely to be expected.

Possible Starting XI: Jungwirth; Posch, Danso, Wöber, Mwene; Seiwald, Xaver; Schmid, Wanner, Wimmer; Adamu.