A victory and a defeat is what the Austria women’s team has registered during their February window camp on the Maltese islands.
Irene Fuhrmann’s team have started their preparations for September’s debut in the newly-launched Nations League where they will be striving to be among Europe’s most competitive squads.
Despite being one of the most tactically organised sides during last summer’s European Championships, the Austrians failed to make it to next summer’s World Cup after losing to Scotland in the play-off semi final.
Nonetheless, coach Fuhrmann remains confident about this progress of this team and feels that this camp continued to help them improve.
“We faced Netherlands who are eighth in the world so we faced a really strong team,” she told the Times of Malta.
“Most importantly, we continued to help develop this side having also played 19 of the players chosen for these two games.”
One of the 19 players used was Carina Wenninger, a veteran of the team with plenty of experience.
The central defender explained how the Maltese environment allowed them to have a good time on our shores while focusing on their football.
“These 10 days were good because we could practice well, try a lot of new players while adapting under a new system as well.”
Exciting Roma
Wenninger, one of the most experienced players inside the Austrian women’s national team camp, will now return to Italy to play the second part of the 2022/2023 campaign at Roma.
The Giallorosse has been one of the most exciting teams across European football, in both Serie A and Champions League.
Under the guidance of Alessandro Spugna, Roma currently lead the Italian championship with 45 points, enjoying an eight-point lead over holders Juventus.
In the Champions League, a two-legged tie against powerhouse Barcelona awaits them with the ties set to be hosted at the Stadio Olimpico and the Camp Nou.
“Before joining Roma, I did now know that the club was run so well,” the former Bayern Munich defender said.
“I think we had a really good start and we were also winning these really close games which propelled us to the top.
We have been one of the surprising packages in the Champions League and our upcoming ties against Barcelona, in two great stadiums, will be massive so we just need to enjoy the moment.”
