Tips from Rangnick

Rapids Lang: The premiere awakens desire for more

Rapid's Christoph Lang(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Christoph Lang was recently with the senior team for the first time and received tips from team boss Ralf Rangnick. On Sunday he will face former club Hartberg with Rapid.

One player, Leo Querfeld, recently celebrated his international debut for Austria in Slovakia, while the other got his first taste of the senior team: "I was delighted to be called up, the training sessions were very intensive and instructive," recalls Christoph Lang.

Rapids winger took away specific tips from the team boss: "On the last evening, Ralf Rangnick said that I should have more confidence in myself and force more actions." Even at the risk of not every one working out. In the end, the 22-year-old was transferred to the U21s and played 60 minutes in the disappointing 2-2 draw against Cyprus: "We didn't deserve to win with that performance."

Colleagues in the senior team, now opponents again: Rapids Lang (left) and Hartberg's Entrup (right)(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Gold goal in November
Looking ahead to the EURO, Querfeld and Lang, like Hedl, Grüll and Burgstaller, still have an outside chance of making the squad. Matthias Seidl even has a good chance. Lang says: "Of course it's every footballer's dream to be there. But I'm not worrying about it, I'll still have a few more chances to play in a big tournament." The 13-time U21 team player wants to recommend himself with strong performances for Rapid. Also on Sunday, when Lang faces his former club Hartberg. He was the scorer of the 1:0 golden goal in the Eastern Styrians' last win over Rapid in November: "I'm looking forward to seeing my former colleagues, I'm in contact with Donis Avdijaj and Domi Prokop." Lang is clearly aiming for three points: "I haven't lost a game with Rapid yet. Let's keep it that way!"