what is Austria worth before challenging the Blues?

A big piece of starter. Austria is not one of the potential favorites for final victory during this Euro 2024, but it has everything to put a spoke in the wheels of the Blues. This Monday evening, in Düsseldorf (9 p.m.), stands a nation in full progress. There The Team qualified easily for the competition by finishing second in group F, (6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) one point behind Belgium, but above all nine points ahead of Sweden, largely absent from this competition. “There is a real wave of optimism regarding the selection in the country with the positive dynamic as well as the very tough group in which Austria fell.summarizes Hugo, creator of the account @FootAutrichien on X.

In this country of only 9 million inhabitants, we are right to believe it. If the WunderTeam acts as an outsider in this group D with Poland, France and the Netherlands, it is thanks to a newfound confidence. Marcel Sabitzer’s teammates remain on one defeat in eighteen months. The last setback to date: it was in November 2023 against Belgium (2-3).

A culture of winning brought by Ralf Rangnick

“He brought rigor, he gave confidence to an entire group, but above all he brought his culture of winning. Austria is now capable of competing against any team. describes Antoine Gauci, also a specialist in Austrian football on@Sorare_Austria). Since the arrival of the former Manchester United coach, Austria has taken its revenge against Italy (2-0, in November 2022) – after the round of 16 of the last Euro where Italy won 2-1 after extra time – and beat Germany (2-1, in November 2023). A symbolic victory. France, for its part, bowed against this same Mannschaft in a friendly match in Lyon three months ago (0-2).

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If it works between Rangnick and Austria, it is also because the marriage is obvious. At 65, “Ralf” wanted a position with less responsibility, but above all in an environment he knows, having trained almost his entire career in Germany. “Austrian football has always been Germany’s backroom. He did not arrive in unknown territory and he corresponded well to the values ​​of the selection, underlines Antoine, satisfied with the choice of the Austrian federation two years ago.

A style that the French may lack

Ousmane Dembélé and Guy Stéphan said it. Austria isunderrated » and is “one of the most difficult teams to play against”. Under Rangnick, this selection gained confidence, but above all tactical certainty on the field. If the game advocated is not slick and offensive, as during the Leipzig period, the 65-year-old tactician has been able to adapt to the qualities of his squad. “It’s a more than tricky opening match for the French team.”, slips Antoine. “Austria will defend with a central and compact block, but when recovering the ball, they play quickly forward. This is where the Blues can be in danger.

Without David Alaba, injured and becoming Rangnick’s assistant during a competition, Austria will also have to do without their lung in midfielder Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig). But the 25th selection in the FIFA rankings has resources. If Marcel Sabitzer remains the other star of this team at the start of the competition, two of his teammates will perhaps steal the show. “The real strong man without Alaba will be Konrad Laimer, believes Antoine. He will stabilize the team and set the pace for pressing with the ball and he will know how to communicate well with those around him.”

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But the one everyone is talking about in the country is Christoph Baumgartner, the starting attacking midfielder. Author of five goals in the last five matches for the selection, he is the man capable of improving the actions of his team. Substitute at RB Leipzig, where he has only started 11 times in 34 days this season, Euro 2024 can take him a step further. “Performing in key moments is what he lacks in the selection. It’s a competition in which he has to stand out, but I don’t know if he’s capable of it.”tempers Antoine.

Weaknesses to exploit for the Blues

The absence of one Schlager may hide another. RB Salzburg goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, a regular starter in the Austrian goal, was also forced to withdraw after suffering a knee injury in early May. Behind, the youth of Niklas Hedl (Rapid Wien) and the inconsistency of the former Stade de Reims, Patrick Pentz do not reassure at the dawn of a major competition.

The various absences in the rearguard have unbalanced the team despite the recent good results (six victories in seven matches). “There were many problems observed in the weak times, especially defensively., assures Hugo. In line with this analysis, Antoine believes that the other weak point is on the sides. “There are good players on the full-backs, but it remains difficult to see them project themselves offensively. The animation on the wings is also not very good. “France has every interest in playing on the sides to unbalance this Austrian team.”