Austria's World Cup hopes rest on Bundesliga stars Prass and Schmid
One Battling for Champions League, the Other Fighting Relegation—Yet Alexander Prass and Romano Schmid Share More Than Meets the Eye
One is vying for a Champions League spot with Hoffenheim, the other is locked in a relegation battle with Bremen. But Alexander Prass and Romano Schmid have more in common than meets the eye. Both play for Austria, are likely to feature at this summer's World Cup, and as Austrian legionnaires in Germany, they stand out for their remarkable versatility.
Time and again, their clubs deploy them across multiple positions. Is this a curse—denying them a fixed role—or a blessing, making them indispensable to their coaches?
Prass plays a more attacking role at Hoffenheim than he does for the national team, where he primarily operates as a left-back. The 24-year-old chooses his words carefully. "I see my role wherever the manager needs me. I accept the decision." Adapting isn't an issue for him. "I'm used to adjusting quickly because I've played different positions and systems at my club. A few training sessions are all it takes to get up to speed." That was the case with the national team ahead of the match against Ghana.
Prass, who says he's currently in the best phase of his career abroad, also sees upsides to playing left-back under Rangnick. "I have strong technical solutions and an attacking instinct that can benefit the team. That makes me a valuable piece of the puzzle."
A Game of Many Facets
For a player as versatile as Prass, the game becomes richer and more engaging. "Everything has its pros and cons. Most coaches are probably happier with a player who isn't limited to just one position."
Romano Schmid, meanwhile, is a regular for the national team on the right flank—though he actually prefers a central role. "My best position is somewhere between an 8 and a 10, with an attacking mindset. In the national team, we play with three number 10s, so I've mostly been used on the right." That's his established role under Ralf Rangnick.
A Major Challenge
At Bremen, this season has been anything but predictable. When results don't go their way, the team often experiments out of necessity. "This season has been a bit wild—I've played left wing, right wing, even as a striker. I can handle a lot, so I just have to adapt," Schmid admits. He concedes: "Sometimes it's exhausting. But I play football to take on challenges like these."
With Bremen's demanding schedule, Schmid hasn't had much time to dwell on the upcoming World Cup. That will change in early June, when the tournament becomes the sole focus. "For three or four years now, I've delivered solid to strong performances under Rangnick, and I'm proud to be part of it." A brief escape from the daily grind—celebrating success with the team—does wonders for morale.
