Moldova 1: 1: The ÖFB team spoils qualifying training for the European Championships in Sweden

And in the 28th minute, after a long period of inactivity, a wave of cheers erupted on the pitch and in the stands at Stade Linz. Marko Arnautović did the honors and started with his warm-up. It was a small tip for the starting line-up that Ralf Rangnick fielded for the friendly against Moldova. The Austrian soccer team was down 1-0 at this point and made little effort to rectify the situation. The handicap came in the third minute when goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann headed in a backpass from Kevin Danso, which went horribly wrong.

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Vitaly Damascan picked up the ball and slotted it into the net. The Austrians failed to respond quickly, except for a very good chance from Karim Onisio, and there was nothing offensively worth mentioning. 38 minutes later, there was applause again. David Alaba was used to a mild evening. Only in the 44th minute did it become dangerous for the guests after a successful attack in the middle of the field. After a cross from Stefan Bosz, who entered in place of the injured Dejan Ljubicic, Nikola Seewald tried twice unsuccessfully, and shortly afterwards Michael Gregoric fired over the goal. There were whistles, and such an embarrassing performance by the second group was not expected. So the bosses had to fix it.

And Gregorych equalized

In addition to Arnautovic and Alaba, Christoph Baumgartner and Xaver Schlager came along and there was a completely different tone on the pitch and in the stands. And it didn’t take five minutes before he scored the equalizing goal. And Gregoric completed a great line-up with Arnautovic and Florian Caenz. Pressure from the Austrians continued. Marcel Sabitzer came on after the hour mark, and now there were eleven real players on the pitch, but the lead didn’t want to come. The Moldovans fell further behind, but Sabitzer’s shot against the post (arranged by Arnautović) almost gave the visitors the lead from a counter-attack. Virgilio Postolacci shot wide, and Bachmann had no chance.

As the second half progressed, the momentum of the first game dwindled again, the action became more intense, and the numerous interruptions disrupted the course of the match. In the final stage, the Austrians could hardly create any real chances. It seemed as if their thoughts were already set on the decisive European Championship qualifier against Sweden.

The friendly match did not achieve its goal in the way that club president Ralf Rangnick had envisioned. It is unlikely that any player will impose himself or even recommend higher tasks. A 1-1 draw with a team like Moldova is a real disappointment. The fact that the opponent defeated a team like Poland in the European Championship qualifiers would not be much consolation. And the evening was not expected to end with whistles. But it was just a test.