Bacher earns Austria call-up after rapid rise at Lyon

Felix Bacher has made a rapid rise from WSG Tirol to a starting role at Olympique Lyon and has now joined Austria’s national team, ORF reported. The East Tyrolean defender is currently at the national team camp in Windischgarsten.

“I may have been surprised that I received their trust so quickly, but not completely, because they had communicated that to me and because I am convinced of what I can do,” Bacher said on Tuesday.

Lyon reportedly paid the Portuguese club Estoril 4.3 million euros for the 25-year-old in the summer. Since then, Bacher has made one Europa League appearance and five Ligue 1 appearances. He played every minute in the league matches and scored once.

His record at Lyon stands at four wins and two draws. The team’s most recent result was a 4-0 victory over Stade Rennes, one of Sturm’s Europa League opponents.

“The goal is to compete right at the top of the league. The club is huge, and there is positive pressure. You have a duty to deliver,” Bacher said.

Bacher said he had benefited from Estoril’s playing style, which suited him. At Lyon, he is again coached by a Portuguese manager, Paulo Fonseca. “I am very impressed by his ideas and philosophy,” he said.

According to Bacher, Estoril and Lyon play in a way similar to Austria’s national team, with a focus on pressing and man-to-man defending.

Being called up to the senior national team fulfilled a childhood dream, Bacher said. He had also expected the call-up to some extent. However, he still faces strong competition for a regular place, with Austria having several high-quality centre-backs.

Bacher began his career as a striker. He later moved back through the pitch, playing as a number 10 at under-15 level before switching between defensive midfield and centre-back at under-18 level.