Stöger and Friedl comment on latest Austrian national team selection

Kevin Stöger’s impressive start to the new campaign with his new club on Saturday afternoon continued after Borussia Mönchengldabach were able to visit Stöger’s old club of VfL Bochum and dig out three points. Though he didn’t manage to get his name on the scoresheet this time, Stöger again played an influential role over a full 90-minute-shift. 

Stöger has logged near maximum minutes over the course of Gladbach’s three competitive fixtures. Last Friday night against Leverkusen, many considered the 31-year-old to be deserving of Man-of-the-match honors despite the fact that his team lost. The German footballing veteran’s career remains on the upward trajectory following four consecutive top flight seasons with Düsseldorf, Mainz, and Bochum. 

Stöger’s start to the season with his new club earned him a call-up to Ralf Rangnick’s Austrian national team for the upcoming international break. Stöger has never been capped at senior level, last appearing for the Austrian U21s a decade ago. During his post-match-interview with Sky Germany, Stöger spoke on what it was like to face his old club and his forthcoming trip to ÖFB camp. 

“I really enjoyed coming here and it was nice to see everyone again,” Stöger said  “But I also know that I won’t be back on the pitch here for a long time. When I do, I’ll be here as a fan, as a spectator and will of course be keeping my fingers crossed for Bochum.”

“That’s one of my dreams,” Stöger said of his ticket to the ÖFB, “Of course I hope to make my first appearance, that would be wonderful. I think I’ve given everything over the last few years to earn it now.”

Stöger’s countryman Marco Friedl naturally took quite a different view. The relatively young SV Werder Bremen squad captain hasn’t featured regularly for his country for over two years. Speaking to the Sky microphones after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund, the 26-year-old didn’t mince words. 

“I’m very angry,” Friedl told his interviewer, “They don’t communicate with me. They don’t talk to me. That’s why I don’t even really think about the issue. I’ve already said so much about it and I don’t want to say any more. 

“It’ll just make me even angrier,” Friedl concluded, “Such a shame.”