Alaba misses third team training session – ÖFB describes procedures as normal process

In total, five players were absent from Sunday's training. In addition to Alaba, Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer, Patrick Wimmer and Florian Grillitsch also did not take part in team training. Grillitsch was absent entirely. According to the ÖFB, Arnautovic is expected back on Monday, Wimmer by Tuesday at the latest. The association cited 'Belastungssteuerung' as the reason for the absences. 'Es handle sich aber nicht um schwere Verletzungen, sondern um Belastungssteuerung, hieß es vom ÖFB. Belastungssteuerung dient in erster Linie der Verletzungsprävention.

Alaba has not joined team training for several days. The hamstring tightness from the Tunisia match continues to be monitored. Alaba is captain of the Austrian national team and is completing a program tailored to his situation in Santa Barbara in order not to jeopardize the healing process.

Internal test on Wednesday

The ÖFB had originally planned another friendly against Guatemala in Los Angeles, but that was cancelled. An internal test is scheduled as a replacement in Santa Barbara on Wednesday. This match is intended to give the coaching staff additional insights into the players' fitness levels before World Cup preparation enters its decisive phase.

The injury and workload situation is being closely monitored by the ÖFB's medical team. In addition to physiotherapeutic measures, data on workload management is being collected to detect overload at an early stage. The association expressed confidence that the affected players would be able to return gradually in the coming days.

Open questions ahead of the tournament

The Austrian squad has already been in the United States for several days to acclimatize to the climate and time difference. Conditions in Santa Barbara are considered ideal for this phase of preparation. The coaching staff and medical team are individually tailoring the training workload to each player's condition.

With the internal test on Wednesday, Rangnick also wants to give playing time to those players who have had less match practice recently. The final squad nomination for the World Cup is imminent, according to the ÖFB. Until then, it remains to be seen whether Alaba and the other injured players will be fit in time.

In parallel, logistical preparations for the World Cup finals are continuing. The ÖFB delegation will travel on to another training camp in the coming days. The team is aiming for an optimal start to the tournament – a prerequisite for which is that workload management pays off and no more serious injuries occur.