Austria picked up a crucial win and increase their chances of qualification for Euro 2024 with a 1-0 win over Azerbaijan away from home – and on-loan Leeds United man Max Wober played the entire game.
Wober, 25, is one of only a few Leeds players that have gone on loan to actually do well. Joining Robin Koch and Brenden Aaronson in the Bundesliga, Wober has started eight of eight games for Gladbach.
His form with the German side has seen him break into Austria’s starting XI on a more regular basis, too. The reason he gave for leaving Leeds on loan – when a move to Gladbach was questioned by us fans.
Things look good for Wober and on Monday night, he was given the chance to shine at centre-back by Ralf Rangnick – and not left-back. He has often played on the left for his country, given he is left-footed.
But Leeds fans and Wober will know that he is a centre-back. Playing on the left against Belgium in a 3-2 loss last week, he started in the middle in Azerbaijan. Clean sheet. Austria’s media gave their take.
Under the subtitle, “average”, Salzburger Nachrichten praised the £10m Leeds signing for his composed display on Monday: “Better off in the centre of defence than on the left side. Used his header strength.”
Austrian media deliver verdict on Leeds defender Max Wober
Wober is proving his point. It was seen as a strange move. Many of the players to use the relegation loan clause have gone back to the Premier League – the likes of Jack Harrison at Everton, and Luis Sinisterra.
Or, have joined a side that are playing in European football. Understandable, that they may have wanted to go. Marc Roca at Betis, Koch at Frankfurt, Aaronson at Union Berlin, Llorente and Kristensen at Roma.
All in Europe. But as things stand, Wober is getting regular game time in one of Europe’s top-five leagues with a big enough side that is convincing Rangnick to start him at centre-back. He impressed.