He is a native of Salzburg, having transferred last summer after six years at LASK to FC Red Bull Salzburg. There, he immediately became a crucial support, especially during his Champions League baptism in the autumn, before the 28-year-old underwent knee surgery in May and missed the Euro Championship as the ÖFB national team goalkeeper: Alexander Schlager. He has fought his way back. Meanwhile, the runners-up have loaned 33-year-old Janis Blaswich from RB Leipzig, who has also become captain. The team under new head coach Pep Lijnders is currently on a winning streak – Schlager appears to be on standby. But he is not one for the bench…
After knee surgery and rehab, Alexander Schlager has fought his way back in a relatively short time and will soon train with the team again. However, it is the lot of a goalkeeper. Only one can play. The 15-time ÖFB national team goalkeeper is on standby, but particularly concerning the Rot-Weiß-Rot team under head coach Ralf Rangnick, the 28-year-old Salzburg native needs match practice as soon as possible. A difficult situation.
“It depends on when the coach wants to take me with him again, but I am generally fit again”
Alexander Schlager (ÖFB national team and FC Red Bull Salzburg goalkeeper) on…
…his injury: “I’m feeling really good. I’ve been on the pitch quite a lot in the last two weeks. It’s also planned that I will train with the team again in the next few days. It depends on when the coach wants to take me with him again, but I am generally fit again.”
…his situation: “We have of course talked about it. I have said that the situation is not good for me from a sporting perspective, especially after last season, where I think I played a good season. It is a difficult situation. That’s how competitive sports work. I will try to get fully back in, work hard, and provide arguments that I want to play. Then we’ll see.”
“At the moment I am lagging behind”
The decision-makers I’ve talked to about the situation are aware. So it also depends a bit on them. When you are not in team training and see everything happening around you, it’s not pleasant because you can’t actively participate. You can’t show what you’ve got in that moment.
Initially, it was framed as a competition for the position, but I haven’t had that because I missed the preparation. At the moment I am lagging behind. But I am trying to turn things around and give my best. Furthermore, I will definitely have further discussions with the club. Then we’ll see which direction it develops. I’m not shying away from the situation. Football moves quickly.”
„…everything else I will discuss with the decision-makers and then we will see”
…his standing in the team: “I don’t worry about that because I want to be a leader type, regardless of whether I’m captain or not. I would always do everything for the team to be successful. The cards have been reshuffled in the summer.
It was really bitter for me with the injury. I am not satisfied. Everything else I will discuss with the decision-makers and then we will see.”
„He is far too good to sit on the bench”
…the future of Alexander Schlager: “He is far too good to sit on the bench. He is a great goalkeeper and also a super guy and team player. The national team needs him too, and for that, he has to play. Salzburg is a good place.
If he sees a realistic chance to assert himself by the winter break, then he can wait, but the fact is he must play because he is far too good for the bench.”
See also:
Statements on the FC Red Bull Salzburg’s landslide victory over FC Blau-Weiß Linz
Statement source: Sky Sport Austria
Photo credit: Harald Dostal/www.sport-bilder.at and FC Red Bull Salzburg by Getty