David Alaba is hot for his first international match in the new Linz stadium

A proper international premiere in Linz simply includes a performance by David Alaba. The chances that this will be the case in today’s second European Championship qualifying appearance of the Austrian national team in the Raiffeisen Arena against Estonia (8.45 p.m., ORF 1 live) are very high.

It was also noticeable in yesterday’s media appearance by the Real Madrid star that the hunger for a mission in Linz is great. He could also have hidden – instead, Alaba went on the offensive. “I don’t know if it could last for 90 minutes – probably not. But I feel very good after the first three or four training sessions here in Upper Austria.” It is also unclear how team boss Ralf Rangnick will dose his strength – because 90 minutes will not be enough after the forced break in the Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona a week ago. Being in the starting XI carries the risk of having to make an early change in the worst case. It would therefore also be understandable if Alaba was only substituted during the game. Rangnick leaves all options open. “The final decision will not be made until the day of the match.”

Boycott of 2012 is forgotten

After all: In 2012 it would have been unthinkable that Alaba would ever return to the stadium on the Linzer Gugl. After the catastrophic general conditions in the 0: 3 against the Ivory Coast in the old Linz stadium, the team council around Alaba made the statement to the then ÖFB President Leo Windtner: “Never again Linz.” Of course, all of this is yesterday’s news. And Alaba also gave great praise to Upper Austria and Linz yesterday. “The atmosphere and the audience were already great on Friday. You can tell in the team that everyone had fun and everyone feels comfortable here.” This also applies in general to Ralf Rangnick’s team boss era. “You can tell by the attitude in every training session. The coach also gives us that.” Marcel Sabitzer and Gernot Trauner, who trained individually yesterday, are also open. “Both took a hit in the Azerbaijan game. It’s also a question of pain tolerance if and how long they play.” If both Alaba and Sabitzer are not on the pitch, Konrad Laimer would take over as captain.

At least on paper, Estonia is weaker than Azerbaijan. Rangnick doesn’t want to rely on that either – and also fended off a comparison with November test opponents Andorra (Austria won just under 1-0, note). “Estonia has a lot more quality. Andorra wasn’t interested in a real football game. The Estonians will certainly try to set offensive pinpricks. But we look after ourselves anyway. The players enjoy our style of play, we also have against Azerbaijan after gave the right answer to make it 3-1 – and continued playing at full throttle.” You can expect the same from David Alaba and his colleagues today.