Summary: Austria - Germany 0:2/Sport1
The coach of the Austrian national team, Ralf Rangnik, left three players out of the squad because they made homophobic comments after the Vienna derby about two and a half weeks ago.
The three players are Marco Grohl, Niklas Hedel and Guido Burgstaller.
Red Bull Salzburg is indeed the most successful team in Austria in recent years, but it is a club with a short tradition (which demonstrably erased its history) and the real rivalry - the hottest in local football - is between the two leading teams in Vienna.
On February 25, Rapid defeated Austria 3:0 in what was their first derby victory in four and a half years (during which time Austria won 3 matches and 9 others ended in a draw).
After the game, the players celebrated for many minutes with the ecstatic fans - and also joined in chants and chants with a homophobic tone towards Austria Vienna and its players.
Everything was documented and a storm arose in Austria.
Rapid Vienna players in the derby/GettyImages, Thomas Pichler
In the next two weeks, Austria will play two friendlies against Slovakia and Turkey, which are actually two preparation games for Euro 2024. Rangnik did not invite the three Rapid players to them, saying: "They acted in complete opposition to everything we believe in in the national team. We must take it seriously and I expect From them to face and understand that their actions cause insult and discrimination."
At the same time, Rangnik clarified that he does not close the door to the three and it is possible that they will be invited in the future.
The three players of Rapid are players of a wide squad and do not constitute a central screw in the Austrian team.
Deduct one appearance and roll four.
The 34-year-old Burgstaller has made 26 appearances for the national team, but he is past his prime.
More on the same topic:
Austrian national team
Ralph Rangnik