ÖFB Team: Why Weinhandl is included, and Demir is not

The Sturm youngster was already a topic for the last call-up, "but we left him with the U21s because there was a lot at stake there," explains the national team coach.

This time, the midfielder is included. "He has taken another big step forward in recent months and was also a key player in international matches," praises Rangnick.

Not only the player, but also Weinhandl's personality impresses the German: "One must not forget how young he actually is. When you hear the interviews he gives, it's hard to believe that he's only 17 years old. Sometimes it sounds like someone who already has five or six years of professional experience under their belt. That is quite astonishing at this age."

Weinhandl is "perfectly placed at Sturm". Rangnick: "He plays every game, so there's no reason to think about anything else."

In mid-October, "Baumi" celebrated his comeback at RB Leipzig, after suffering a serious injury shortly before the 2026 World Cup. From four games, he now has three goals and one assist to his name. "You can't come back much better from an injury," Rangnick marvels.

Nevertheless, he remains cautious: "But we must not forget that he has only played 20 or 30 minutes so far. We have to see how much he has left in the tank when he plays for us."

The superstar is missing once again, this time due to an injury he sustained in his second game for new club Udinese.

Rangnick originally wanted to visit the Viennese player for the match against Milan, but then cancelled due to Alaba's injury.

"I assume that he can play again in the matches after the international break," says the national team coach.

Of course, Rangnick has also noticed the strong performances the midfielder is putting in at SK Rapid, having even observed him recently at the Vienna Derby.

"Rapid is on an absolute run, and he certainly has a part in that," he says.

Demir is on standby for the ÖFB team. Rangnick explains why he is not in the squad with the competitive situation: "We talked about Weinhandl, and there are a few others in that position. Horvath is fit again."

But the door is not closed for the 23-year-old: "It's good and important for him that he has finally settled in. You get the feeling that he's in a team where he's a regular and needed. If he continues to perform at the highest level and deliver his performances, it's not impossible that he will be part of one of the next call-ups someday."