Camp in Marbella

ÖFB team: First round of golf and a nagging nerve

Philipp Lienhart (2nd from left)(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Active regeneration was on the agenda for Austria's team players yesterday morning in Marbella, and some of them took advantage of this for their first round of golf. Not Philipp Lienhart, who has currently put his golf clubs in the corner, after a lengthy groin injury including surgery ("a nerve was irritated") he is more concerned with the way back.

The "Krone" reports from Marbella

He played his last 90-minute game for SC Freiburg on December 9, 2023, and last Sunday he was back in the squad for the first time in the 2:3 home draw against Leverkusen, playing the last half hour.

"We all didn't think it would take that long. But of course it's reassuring to know that the EURO is not in danger, it feels good to be back in team training," said the 27-year-old central defender. He could be in even greater demand in Germany in the summer if David Alaba is unavailable: "A new pairing will emerge, even if you can't replace a David with his qualities 1:1."

Before leaving for Marbella on Sunday, he was present in the dressing room when cult coach Christian Streich announced that he would be stepping down in the summer after more than twelve years on the bench: "At first it was quiet, then we all applauded him - he deserved it. He doesn't just see you as a footballer, but also as the person behind it, which has helped me a lot."