Alaba and Arnautovic missing – Schmid declares ÖFB legend status

Romano Schmid, a 26‑year‑old ÖFB star, was the match‑winner on Sunday of his new club Frosinone Calcio's 2‑0 victory over Como and also emphasized that David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic are the best players of all time of the ÖFB.

Serie‑A breakthrough

In his Serie‑A debut, the Styrian set up both goals for the 2‑0 win against Champions‑League participant Como. When he was substituted on Sunday he received standing ovations and said that he had created three goals in the last two games – his best performances so far. Despite still insufficient Italian language skills, he feels comfortable in the new environment.

Missing ÖFB legends

Only 24 hours later, Schmid was in Windischgarsten on Monday answering questions. He said: “We have a very good start to the season, but we know where we come from,” and added that Alaba and Arnautovic are no longer in the squad. “They are good players that we cannot replace in the way they were,” he emphasized.

Schmid explained that he already understands coach Rangnick well, even though Rangnick is still learning English. “You then talk like a child with hands and feet, and it will be fine,” he said about communication in the team.

On Thursday the Nations League match against Israel begins, and Schmid is expected to be used as a regular starter, as Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer are unavailable. He sees the regular‑place opportunity not as mere hope, but as a record of his appearances so far since his debut.

Personally he finds the departure of Arnautovic after the World Cup and of Sabitzer painful, because he has close ties to both. Nevertheless the excitement for the national team remains.

In the camp one immediately feels the absence of the two loud voices; Schmid noted that both Arnautovic and Alaba are loud, even if that does not always appear that way from the outside. Who will take over the captain badge in the future is still unclear, and Schmid did not name any specific person.