Roland Linz: "Must express great thanks to Red Bull"

The Conference League playoff clash between SC Braga and FK Austria Wien on Thursday (from 9 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>) will bring together two former clubs of Roland Linz in a direct duel!

Ahead of the match, the former ÖFB national team player gave an interview to "kicker" and also spoke about the chances of the "Veilchen" against last season's Europa League semi-finalists.

Roland Linz: "Everyone having diarrhea can be an advantage" >>>

Praise for Red Bull

The now 45-year-old looks back on a successful career as a striker. The Leoben native spent most of his time in Vienna-Favoriten (205 games, 83 goals).

Abroad, Linz played for clubs including Grasshoppers (Switzerland), OGC Nice (France), SC Braga and Boavista (both Portugal). He made 39 international appearances for the ÖFB team, scoring eight goals.

In the interview with "kicker," the former player praised the development of the ÖFB team, especially its youth work.

"Youth development and talent promotion are at a completely different level today than back then. One must especially express great thanks to Red Bull for that. They have been enormously important for Austrian club football and the national team over the last 15 to 20 years, having produced excellent players," Linz said.

Part of a lost generation?

Linz himself debuted for the ÖFB team in 2002 under Hans Krankl and remained with the squad until 2010.

"It was a transitional phase, yes. Austrian football did not have a particularly high standing abroad. There were few foreign-based players, the ÖFB team had a terribly difficult time," the former striker said about his generation.

Nevertheless, he does not want to judge this era negatively. "There was simply a lack of infrastructure. The establishment of academies everywhere only began under Frank Stronach. Drago, Alaba, and Lindner Heinzi – during my first spell at Austria, they were all fresh at Hollabrunn (Frank Stronach Academy, Ed.).