Hoping for a miracle

Rangnick: Alaba? “We also have to be realistic”

David Alaba (l.) and ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Austria's soccer team boss Ralf Rangnick has only small hopes of having his top player David Alaba available for this summer's European Championship in Germany. The ÖFB captain has been working on his comeback since suffering a cruciate ligament rupture in December. "We also have to be realistic with David: it would be a minor miracle if he actually makes it," said Rangnick on Monday evening about the 31-year-old's possible participation in the tournament.

However, he would not rule out such a miracle for Alaba. "If anyone can make it, it's David," said Rangnick. "He's doing everything for it. He really wants to play this EURO." The ÖFB is in close contact with rehab coach Martin Hämmerle, and his Vorarlberg colleague Martin Rinderer is also involved. Alaba is currently completing his program in Madrid. However, the Real star will join his ÖFB colleagues for three days around the first home international of the year on March 26 in Vienna against Turkey.

Stay patient
"So far the rehab is going well. We'll have to wait and see about everything else," said Rangnick. "Of course we hope that David makes it. Basically, he's doing well. But it's still too early to make a prognosis at the moment. We simply have to rely a little on the time factor." The Austrians will play their first European Championship match against France on June 17. Alaba suffered the injury on December 17. Six months rehabilitation time is the absolute minimum for a cruciate ligament rupture.

David Alaba was injured in the match against Villarreal.

(Bild: EPA)

Marko Arnautovic was less badly affected. The star Inter Milan striker will miss the next few weeks due to a muscle injury in his thigh. Rangnick spoke of a torn fiber, Inter officially of a pulled muscle. "We now have to make sure we get him fit for the EURO," emphasized the team boss.

Flight to Milan
After a "good discussion" with Inter's sporting director Piero Ausilio, Rangnick announced that an ÖFB delegation would be traveling to Italy. This could possibly take place this week. "We will fly to Milan to talk to those responsible at Inter and develop a battle plan to ensure that he stays healthy in the future."

Arnautovic has repeatedly struggled with muscular injuries in recent months. The 34-year-old suffered his most recent injury on Saturday against his former club Bologna. The record team player will miss the ÖFB tests against Slovakia (March 23) and Turkey. "We have to see how we can compensate for that as a team," said Rangnick about the absences of Alaba and Arnautovic. But the German is aware of one thing: "We won't be able to replace David one-to-one, either as captain or as an individual player."