Why Austria shouldn't be underestimated in Euro 2024 meeting with the Netherlands
Ahead of Euro 2016, Austria were a popular pick as potential dark horses. Instead Marcel Koller’s side crashed and burned in France, collecting just one point from nine and finishing bottom of their group.
Eight years later and Austria have already done a better job of living up to their pre-tournament billing. They gave France plenty to think about on matchday one of Euro 2024, narrowly losing 1-0 in Dusseldorf. Ralf Rangnick’s side then got off the mark last time out, beating Poland 3-1 in a thrilling encounter.
Austria are not over the line yet. While a defeat by the Netherlands on Tuesday would not necessarily knock them out, Rangnick’s team realistically need to get something.
A draw would almost certainly be enough to send them through as one of the best third-place finishers. A win, meanwhile, would see them leapfrog the Netherlands and secure a top-two berth in Group D. It would also make the continent really sit up and take notice.
Do not rule it out. Austria showed against Poland why they are such dangerous opponents. They started the game at a blistering pace, pinning the Poles back with their high press. Austria created overloads down the flanks and forced Poland’s wing-backs deep. Their intensity was too much and Gernot Trauner opened the scoring in the ninth minute.
To be fair to Poland, they fought their way back into the match thereafter. Austria were unable to maintain the ferocious pace they played with in the first 20 minutes, and Poland started to have more possession. After half an hour they were back on level terms through Krzysztof Piatek.
Austria had a second wind after the break, though, and in the end they blew Poland away. Christoph Baumgartner moved from a right-sided role into the No.10 position and gave his team the lead, before a Marko Arnautovic penalty wrapped up all three points.
Those two players were Austria’s standout performers against Poland and they are more than capable of causing the Netherlands problems in their crunch clash at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Baumgartner of RB Leipzig is one of three members of the Austria squad who plays for a Red Bull-owned club - the others are Leipzig’s Nicolas Seiwald and Flavius Daniliuc of Red Bull Salzburg. The likes of Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer used to play for Leipzig, so they too are well versed in the club’s high-tempo, heavy pressing approach that was originally introduced by Rangnick.
Baumgartner has looked particularly bright at this tournament and he will be vital against the Netherlands. Given Arnautovic is 35, Baumgartner will be tasked with leading the press up against Stefan de Vrij and Virgil van Dijk. He did that effectively against Poland, making two tackles; none of his teammates made more.
When his team have the ball, Baumgartner will look to find space between the lines. His movement is excellent and the Dutch midfielders will have to be alert at all times. Baumgartner is adept at collecting the ball in tight areas and moving it on quickly, making him a perfect fit for this vertical Austria team.
Arnautovic was a surprise selection against Poland given he only started two games in qualifying, but he looks set to get the nod ahead of Michael Gregoritsch once more. He was superb against Poland, holding the ball up with his physicality and good touch, and linking up with the likes of Baumgartner, Laimer and Sabitzer. De Vrij and Van Dijk will know they have been in a game after facing Arnautovic on Tuesday.
The Netherlands are still the favourites to finish in the top two of Group D given a draw would be enough. But Rangnick’s Austria are not the type of team willing to play for a point.
