Austria’s national football team has witnessed a notable ascent in international football over the past decade. The team first entered the European Championship scene as co-hosts in 2008, but their real breakthrough came in 2020 when they reached the quarter-finals, narrowly losing to eventual champions Italy after extra time. This steady progression has set the stage for their Euro 2024 campaign under the guidance of Ralf Rangnick.
Rangnick, known for his tactical acumen and innovative approach, has injected new life into the Austrian squad. Austria enters the tournament with a blend of confidence and caution, understanding the challenge ahead in Group C, which includes football powerhouses France and the Netherlands. However, their impressive 2-0 victory against Germany and a resounding 6-1 win over Turkey in recent fixtures signal that Austria is more than capable of upsetting the established order.
Key Players and Tactical Approach
Austria’s squad is a mix of experienced internationals and emerging talents, expertly marshaled by Ralf Rangnick. Unfortunately, Real Madrid’s David Alaba, who would have been a central figure, will miss the tournament due to injury. Despite this setback, Alaba will travel with the team in a supporting role, providing leadership off the field. In his absence, the focus shifts to Marcel Sabitzer, the versatile midfielder from Borussia Dortmund. Sabitzer, known for his creativity and goal-scoring ability, will be pivotal in Austria’s attacking play.
Supporting Sabitzer in the attacking department is Michael Gregoritsch, the Freiburg striker who has had a commendable season in the Bundesliga. Rangnick’s tactical setup, likely to feature high pressing and quick transitions, aims to exploit the strengths of these key players. Austria’s recent form in the qualifiers, where they finished second behind Belgium, winning six out of eight matches, highlights their potential to compete at the highest level.
Can Austria’s Spring a Surprise?
Austria’s path to the knockout stages is fraught with challenges, notably facing France and the Netherlands in Group C. However, Austria’s recent performance in the Nations League, where they secured a draw against France, suggests they should not be underestimated. While defeating France remains a daunting task, matches against the Netherlands and Poland provide a realistic opportunity to gather crucial points.
Austria’s resilience and form indicate that they could indeed surprise one of the tournament favorites. Their ability to perform under pressure, combined with Rangnick’s strategic insights, makes them a potential dark horse in the competition. If Austria can maintain their form and leverage their tactical discipline, they might just create one of the biggest upsets of Euro 2024, advancing beyond the group stages and possibly further into the tournament.
Key Absences in Austrian Squad for Euros
Austria’s preparation for the upcoming Euros has been significantly affected by a series of injuries to key players. Among the most notable absences are David Alaba and Sasa Kalajdzic, both sidelined due to ACL injuries. These losses are a significant blow to the team, given Alaba’s versatility and experience, and Kalajdzic’s emerging talent in the forward line. Adding to the woes, RB Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager also misses out due to a severe knee problem, further depleting Austria’s options in the middle of the park.
These injuries force Austria to reconfigure their strategy and rely on the depth of their squad. The absence of these key players will test the team’s resilience and the tactical acumen of manager Ralf Rangnick. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how the team adapts and which players step up to fill these crucial roles.
AUSTRIA EURO 2024 FIXTURES
Group D
Monday, Jun 17: Austria v France, 8pm (Merkur Spiel Arena, Düsseldorf)
Friday, Jun 21: Poland v Austria, 5pm (Olympiastadion, Berlin)
Tuesday, Jun 25: Netherlands v Austria, 5pm (Olympiastadion, Berlin)
AUSTRIA EURO 2024 SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Tobias Lawal, Patrick Pentz, Heinz Lindner, Niklas Hedl.
DEFENDERS: Stefan Lainer, Stefan Posch, Max Wober, Philipp Lienhart, Kevin Danso, Phillipp Mwene, Flavius Daniliuc, Gernot Trauner, Leopold Querfeld.
MIDFIELDERS: Marcel Sabitzer, Florian Grillitsch, Christoph Baumgartner, Konrad Laimer, Florian Kain, Nicolas Seiwald, Romano Schmid, Alexander Prass, Matthias Seidl, Thierno Ballo.
FORWARDS: Mark Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch, Andreas Weimann, Patrick Wimmer, Marco Grull, Maximilian Entrup
