War is not over yet for Austrian Coach Koller

From Sam McKeever at the Aviva Stadium

 

Austria manager Marcel Koller, along with Watford’s Sebastian Prodl, were on hand Saturday evening to meet the media on the eve their World Cup Qualifier against the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. Both were talking about an expected “physical” battle between the sides.

 

Koller was asked about comments from Roy Keane earlier in the week about going to “war” with the Austrians. "I think that was meant for motivation for the home team,” said Koller who is under real pressure to get a result in Dublin.

 

”They should try to be aggressive and physical at home but I don't think you should use the word "war” in football but he knows that it is important for the Austrians to be physical as well.

 

“It was not a surprise for us for him to say these comments because we expect Ireland to be physical and aggressive as they always are. Nothing changes in the way we approach the game. We hope that we are physically strong enough to engage in a physical battle with the Irish team who we lost to in Vienna but the war is not over yet.”

 



The visitors have had selection problems coming into the game with left-back Andreas Ulmer, who was likely to start due to squad withdrawals, being the main talking point as he chose to get married this week rather than play in the game in Dublin.

 

“We have tried to bring in players who are available to play for us," said Koller alluding to the missing player. "I have managed to get 23 players on-side with me. I will try to motivate the players so that they give their best on Sunday.”

 

Defender Sebastian Prodl made it clear how he wants to play for his country and how much he has developed as a player in England since joining from German side Werder Bremen in 2015.

 



“Of course I wanted to be here. I have progressed the last couple of seasons with my time at Watford for me,” said Prodl has been a regular for the Hornets this season making 33 appearances in the Premier League.

 

“It will be a huge game as it will be a very “British” like game due to the physicality. I think I have improved in my physical play during my time in England. We know it’s going to be tough.

 

Both Prodl and Kohler were also questioned about the pressure Austria are under with Prodl asked was there too much pressure being put on star man David Alaba. He has had another successful season winning his sixth Bundesliga title.

 

“David is one of our leaders we need leaders on the pitch,” said Prodl about the Bayern Munich man. “To lead by example in the game here in Dublin is going to be a lot different to what most of our players are used to. There is not too much pressure on David as we know what to expect from him as a player and he knows what to expect from himself.”

 

“We will see tomorrow which position David Alaba will start the match in for me,” said the former Swiss player Koller. “It is important for David to play in a position where he can support his team-mates and be effective in the game.

 

“Of course the Austrian team feel some pressure because we are behind Ireland and Serbia in the group so the aim is to win tomorrow to get back on track and pick up as many points as we can. So we have to think positive. I know the Austrian team has to deliver on the pitch tomorrow.”

 

Discussion ahead of the match was that this is a must win game for Austria. Their World Cup ambitions hang on by a thread being level on points with Wales, with the top two in the group (Ireland and Serbia) having a four point advantage on the Burschen.

 

“We need to pick up as many points as we can. We lost the game in Vienna although it was a tight game for the 90 minutes. We are setting out to win tomorrow. A point can help us move forward in the group (but) we came with the expectation to walk away with the three points tomorrow.”

 

A win for Austria will put them right back in the hunt for World Cup Qualification and it will also relieve some of the pressure that has been on Koller recently, with rumours circulating that he will leave if the Austrians fail to get a result on Sunday. 

 

For a report on Ireland's pre-match press conference, see O'Neill looking to Warrior Walters in Austria battle.

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