Raum features in 0-0 draw in Greece | OneFootball

Ten RBL players are away on international duty during the first international break of the season.

The group includes Nicolas Seiwald (Austria), Ezechiel Banzuzi (DR Congo), Willi Orbán (Hungary), Neil El Aynaoui (Morocco), Antonio Nusa and Ørjan Nyland (both Norway), as well as Maarten Vandevoordt (Belgium). Tidiam Gomis is away with France U21s for the first time.

David Raum and Ridle Baku are also on international duty with Germany.

Read on for a full overview of all the upcoming internationals involving RBL players.

David Raum & Ridle Baku (Germany)

David Raum made his first appearance under Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp in their final game of the international break in Greece, while Ridle Baku remained an unused substitute. 

The game almost got off to the worst possible start for the pair, with Jonas Urbig producing a superb reflex save to prevent Germany from falling behind early on (2’). Germany grew into the game after the opening stages and increasingly pushed the hosts back into their own half. Raum regularly got forward down the left and showed what he can offer in attack. The Leipzig captain almost got on the scoresheet himself with a powerful effort (25’), while Jonathan Burkardt also had a potential opener ruled out for a handball in the build-up (32’).

Despite dominating for long spells, Raum and his teammates were unable to make their superiority count after the break, meaning Germany had to settle for a 0-0 draw in Greece despite a good performance. 

With five points on the board, top spot in the group is now a distant prospect ahead of the final Nations League games away to Serbia (13th November) and at home to the Netherlands (16th November).

Antonio Nusa and Ørjan Nyland (Norway)

After being rested against Wales, Antonio Nusa returned to Norway’s starting XI in Portugal, while Ørjan Nyland was left out for the first time during this international break. The Leipzig goalkeeper watched on as Portugal dominated possession, with Norway looking to threaten on the counter. That played to Toni’s strengths, with his willingness to take players on making him a constant threat down the left.

In typical Nusa fashion – a dribble, a feint and a shot – Toni created the first chance of the game before a stunning long-range strike from Kristoffer Ajer found the far corner to put Norway ahead (36’). Portugal’s response was every bit as impressive, however, as João Cancelo fired a bouncing ball into the top corner (38’).

There was little in the way of goalmouth action for much of the rest of the game in Porto. Erling Haaland passed up the best chance after the restart from a tight angle before Toni’s evening came to an end in the 74th minute. He and Ny then watched from the sidelines as Gonçalo Ramos scored Portugal’s winner in the 79th minute. A third successive 2-1 defeat leaves Norway bottom of their group.

Nicolas Seiwald (Austria)

Nici Seiwald made his 46th consecutive appearance for Austria, once again starting alongside former Leipzig man Xaver Schlager in defensive midfield. Difficult pitch conditions contributed to an intense first half in Kosovo, with clear-cut chances at a premium.

The hosts posed more of a threat after the restart and took the lead through Hoffenheim’s Fisnik Asllani following a well-worked move (70’). The woodwork then prevented Austria from falling further behind.

Nici was substituted in the 77th minute. Austria pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages and eventually got their reward, with Christoph Lang heading home a flick-on from a throw-in in the 85th minute to make it 1-1. Austria therefore remain unbeaten after four games and stay top of the group with eight points.

Neil El Aynaoui (Morocco)

With Neil El Aynaoui in the starting XI, Morocco made a lively start to their friendly against Mali. They had to wait until the 35th minute to take the lead, however, when Ez Abde was fouled inside the penalty area and stepped up to convert the resulting spot kick himself.

Morocco lost some of their momentum after that as the game became increasingly scrappy and Mali worked their way back into the contest. The Atlas Lions, with Neil playing the full 90 minutes, were eventually pegged back late on when Gaoussou Diarra volleyed home to secure a 1-1 draw.

Willi Orbán (Hungary)

Willi Orbán played the full 90 minutes as Hungary claimed their first win of the Nations League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Georgia. The RBL defender once again impressed at the heart of the back line as Marco Rossi’s side largely kept Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the visitors’ attack quiet. 

Milos Kerkez headed in the only goal of the game in the 35th minute, with Hungary holding on for a deserved win. Orbán and Co. now face Ukraine on Monday (20:45 CEST), with both sides level on four points.

Ezechiel Banzuzi (DR Congo)

After representing the Netherlands at youth level, Ezechiel Banzuzi has since declared for DR Congo. He has been called up to the senior squad for the first time by head coach Sébastien Desabre. 

On Friday, Banzu was named in the starting line-up against Uganda and was able to celebrate his senior international debut for the Leopards. Playing in central midfield, Banzuzi worked hard for 45 minutes before being taken off at half-time. DR Congo were 1-0 down at that point after a mistake from goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud while attempting to build out from the back. Uganda then went on to score a second on the break after the change of ends (49'). 

Banzuzi and DR Congo will have a chance to get their revenge for Friday's defeat in just a few days from now, as they take on Uganda in a second friendly on Monday.

Maarten Vandevoordt (Belgium)

Maarten Vandevoordt remained an unused substitute again as Belgium beat Turkey 3-0, with Senne Lammens again preferred in goal. Kevin De Bruyne scored twice before Romelu Lukaku added a third to seal Belgium’s second win of the Nations League campaign. 

The result keeps Vandevoordt and Co. second in the group ahead of Monday’s final game against unbeaten France (20:45 CEST).

Tidiam Gomis (France U21)

Tidiam Gomis has received his first call-up to the France U21s. Together with the 'Bleuets,' he is now set for four tough matches as part of qualifying for the U21 EUROs in Albania and Serbia next year. France are currently top of their group with 23 points.

Gomis was not part of the matchday squad against Luxembourg U21s and is still waiting for his first appearance for the side. 

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