Nations League

ÖFB team in Kazakhstan: duo missing, Schlager in goal

Will not be celebrating on the pitch on Thursday: Gernot Trauner (l.) and Florian Grillitsch.(Bild: GEPA)

Austria's national team will travel to Kazakhstan for the Nations League away match without Gernot Trauner and Florian Grillitsch. Trauner will be rested in Almaty, Grillitsch is suffering from an inflammation of the lymph nodes in the adductor area and therefore also did not board the plane.

This was announced by team boss Ralf Rangnick before departure on Wednesday. Alexander Schlager will start in goal on Thursday.

Alexander Schlager(Bild: GEPA)

Trauner, who has been plagued by injury problems time and again, will be rested as a precautionary measure. The central defender from Feyenoord Rotterdam should be available for the home game against Slovenia on Sunday. "The risk would have been too great," said Rangnick, referring to the seven-hour journey. According to the German, the central defense is also sufficiently well-staffed. Kevin Danso is likely to start alongside Philipp Lienhart in Almaty.

Grillitsch began to suffer from symptoms on Wednesday night. The Hoffenheim international was prescribed antibiotics. "I hope he can play at the weekend," said Rangnick. With the exception of the duo, he announced that they would line up with the best possible formation.

Alexander Schlager (l.) and Patrick Pentz(Bild: GEPA)

Pentz back in goal against Slovenia
Salzburg keeper Schlager will start in goal. The plan is to use Patrick Pentz again against Slovenia. Schlager had lost his regular place in the ÖFB team after injuring his knee before the European Championship.