Violets in strong form

Wels is thriving! With diary in Austrias starting eleven

Moritz Wels (right) played very well for Austria recently.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Austrias Moritz Wels recently showed a strong performance against WAC and WSG Tirol. Since spring, the 19-year-old's goals have been recorded in writing. "Six" will probably never forget his short debut in the starting eleven. Coach Michael Wimmer praises his development. 

"It was a really great time, I made the best friends there," Moritz Wels remembers fondly. The 19-year-old kicked for Sturm Graz from the U11s and made it to the pros in 2021. However, he only made eight appearances. "It went very well for the club. When success came, it became difficult, especially for young Austrians, to find their way in." After talks with sporting director Jürgen Werner and sporting director Manuel Ortlechner, he finally made the switch to Austria in the summer.

Wels & Co. celebrated a 3:0 victory against WSG Tirol.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"I was in my final year at school and although the decision was difficult, I immediately had a good feeling," says Wels. He clearly had to line up in the second row with the Violets at the beginning, but delivered with four goals in 15 games at cooperative club Stripfing in the 2nd division. "The night wasn't cool "Austria coach Michael Wimmer praised his development back at the training camp in Malta, and in the spring Wels, who recently started twice in the starting eleven in two wins in the qualifying group and impressed as a "six", finally found his feet at Violett.

Coach Michael Wimmer is delighted with the 19-year-old's development.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

His secret? "I've got myself a thick diary, where I write down everything I plan to do during the week, both sporting and personal. I've already been able to put some of it into practice. It gives me a lot of strength, even when I have setbacks."

His debut in the starting eleven against BW Linz at the end of March lasted just 16 minutes.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Wels suffered a setback at the end of March in his starting XI debut against BW Linz - he was sent off with a yellow-red card after 16 minutes in a 0-0 draw. "The disappointment was huge and the night wasn't cool. Hopefully it was the last time, but the coach and the players built me up straight away and encouraged me. That shows what a great team we are."