UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Austria
UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Austria.
Austria currently ranks 25th in the FIFA World Rankings, and while these rankings do not always equate to success at international tournaments, Austria is still a team that you should watch. Although they may not seem as flashy as Group D counterparts France and the Netherlands, the Austrians have won their last six games, including a 2-0 victory over hosts Germany in a friendly match back in November. With a talented squad, a winnable game against Poland and a tournament close to home, this Austrian team has it in them to potentially cause mayhem this Euro.
Euro Appearances
This will be Austria’s fourth European Championship appearance. The first came in 2008 and the Austrians have now qualified for the last three tournaments.
Best Finish at the Euros
Austria made the Round of 16 at Euro 2020. This is the only time the Austrians have gotten out of the group.
Key players
The Austrians will unfortunately play this tournament without their star defender David Alaba who is still recovering from an ACL injury. Nonetheless, this is still a very talented, and potentially dangerous, Austrian side.
Fans of the Bundesliga will recognize many of Austria’s key players. Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund) and Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich) are key for the Austrian midfield. Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig) offers Austria another solid option as a more attack-minded midfielder.
Defensively, players like Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Maximilian Wöber (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Stefan Posch (Bologna) will be counted on in Alaba’s absence. Up top, the experienced Marko Arnautović (Inter) will lead the attack while Patrick Wimmer (Wolfsburg) provides an interesting option as well.
Manager
Manchester United fans, look away. Ralf Rangnick will be on the touchline for Austria at Euro 2024. The German manager had plenty of experience to his name before taking on the Austria job, managing some of Germany’s biggest clubs, including RB Leipzig, Schalke and Hoffenheim. After a failed stint in Manchester, he moved to the international game in April 2022, becoming Austria’s new manager. After qualifying for this summer’s Euro, his contract with the Austrian national team was extended another two years, meaning Rangnick will be Austria’s manager through the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S.
Biggest Group Game – vs Poland on June 21
Just as this match is Poland’s biggest game, it also is Austria’s. In a group that also included the French and the Dutch, this is a perfect opportunity for the Austrians to pick up three vital points. Even if they lose both games to France and the Netherlands, getting three points against the Poles would give Austria a chance to qualify as a third-place team, so beating Poland will definitely be a priority.
Prediction
I think Austria has some “dark horse” material in this tournament. Sure, we have heard it before and Austria failed to deliver, but the team is on a hot streak right now, and with the players that they have, they are more than capable of making a run. Getting out of Group D will be tricky, but Austria has the personnel to do it, and I see the Austrians reaching the Round of 16 before getting knocked out. Watch out for Austria though.
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