World Cup qualifiers: Bachmann sees the Danes within reach

The plan to appear at Tilia Barkin in Copenhagen is to “make the match as difficult as possible for the Danes”. There is no discussion about the starting position, the Danish 26:0 goal difference is impressive. “No one can come close to the stats,” Bachmann said. The obvious goal is to win the game. This would make the Austrians a horror at the party at the all-sold-out Barken stadium in Copenhagen. With a home win, the Danes could already have repaired their World Cup participation.

According to his own statements, Bachmann does not prepare differently from any other game. “I’m there to not let the ball go in – it doesn’t matter who we play against. It makes no difference whether it’s number 150 or number one in the world.” The Danes are currently number 10 in the world rankings. His predecessor and now substitute in the case of ÖFB, Alexander Schlager, scored four goals in Vienna on March 1 (0:4).

Denmark shines as a group

Bachmann has been the first choice in the Austrian Football Association team since the beginning of June. So far, he has had to extend his hand behind him 12 times in ten international matches. There will be more work to do in Copenhagen than Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands. The Watford goalkeeper expects fewer long balls than the Danes. He did not analyze in detail the opponent’s attacking players. “I just try not to get the ball in the goal – whether it’s a shot by Cristiano Ronaldo or Ashley Barnes of Burnley, it doesn’t make a difference to me.”

Denmark will have an excellent group. “They also have good individual players, but the big strength definitely lies in the way they play together as a team,” said Bachmann, who has not been going optimally lately. The victory over the Faroe Islands was his first competitive match since 9/11. The 27-year-old has missed three Premier League matches due to knee problems. A week before that against Leeds (0-1), he had been training for two days, but then did not play. “As a footballer, you never like to get injured. There is nothing worse,” Bachmann said.

Fight for individual bodies at Watford

There were also “little things in the background” that had nothing to do with the sport, Bachmann said, without going into details ahead of the Leeds game. “This is the situation, everything will be clarified. I am sure I will be back in goal against Liverpool.” The duel with Jurgen Klopp’s unbeaten side on Saturday will be the first for new Watford coach Claudio Ranieri.

According to his own statements, Bachmann has not had any contact with the Italian since his order, but wants to speak with him upon his return on Wednesday. Ranieri is a famous man. “What he achieved with Leicester was certainly one of the greatest sports stories ever written.” Ranieri thrillingly led the away team to the championship title in 2016 with then-ÖFB captain Christian Fuchs and current Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

“I don’t think we’re going to be heroes now,” Bachmann said. “But of course I hope he can bring some of the experience he gained at Leicester.” Bachmann does not want to be bothered by the frequent manager changes that appear to be common at Watford. “We know that as players things can go really fast.” The primary objective of the rookie team remains “solid” to maintain the league. After seven rounds, the Hornets finished 15th with seven points in the Premier League.