Landerl: Marathon of the Championship” – Austria is fighting for a comeback!
Rolf Landerl, coach of Austria, talks about tactical approaches and the challenges of his team on November 22nd, 2025.

Landerl: Marathon of the Championship” – Austria is fighting for a comeback!
Rolf Landerl, Austria's coach, clearly outlined the team's current challenges and priorities. In a statement, he emphasized the importance of standing firm in the principles. The defensive discipline shown recently and the good organization in the back line were highlighted, with transition moments identified as a central theme for future games. Landerl emphasized the confidence in his players' abilities and is convinced that the team is capable of getting back on the road to success despite a negative series.
For Landerl, the current championship is a “marathon” and not a “sprint”. After a major roster shakeup last summer, it's not uncommon for the team to hit a losing streak. The coach believes that the team will go into the last games before the winter break strengthened and full of energy, which makes it necessary to invest accordingly in each game.
Injury problems and squad adjustments
The situation is tense on defense because Marco Gantschnig, an important key player, received his fifth yellow card in the last game against SK Rapid II and is now suspended. This suspension requires a rebuild in defense, where Mario Matkovic and Aiden Liu will have to fill the gap. Landerl makes it clear that Gantschnig's loss will be difficult to compensate for, but he is confident that the broad squad and waiting players can compensate for this.
The importance of transition moments is recognized not only by Landerl, but also in football analysis in general. In modern top football they are crucial for the outcome of the game. Teams that dominate transition moments usually win games. Preparation for potential ball wins and losses is required to ensure effective counter-pressing and safety structures. The exact positioning of the players when in possession of the ball and in the event of a loss of the ball is of central importance.
Training and techniques for efficient switching
The training of switching moments should create realistic game situations in which technique, tactics and the physical and psychological condition of the players are promoted. Developing a quick and effective response to changes in possession is essential for success. Training exercises such as the ball-conquering game and the reaction running game are exemplary for the targeted training of reaction speed and the ability to anticipate in the transition game.
Effective residual defense is also a central concept in this context. Players have to position themselves as both a passing station and as a protection. The distance between the players is crucial: distances that are too short can affect attacking play, while distances that are too long can make the team vulnerable to counterattacks. Targeted exercises to improve speed and decision-making under pressure will increase game intelligence, which can increase the team's overall efficiency.
In summary, Landerl's approaches and the general knowledge about the importance of the transition game in football clearly point to a strategic focus. In order to be successful over the course of the season, the team and the coaches must consistently stick to their concepts and make the necessary adjustments to the squad and style of play.