Austria's Euro 2020 dream remains alive as coach Rangnick goes ballistic with excitement.
Austria put up a fierce fight against France but fell short, losing by a narrow margin. In their second EURO match against Poland, Ralf Rangnick's squad displayed an improved performance and secured a decisive victory. The match between the two teams was chaotic and unpredictable at times.
Rangnick and his robust Austrian players clinched a vital triumph in their pursuit of a spot in the EURO last 16. In the initial head-to-head against Poland and its injured star striker Robert Lewandowski, the Austrian team earned a hard-fought 3:1 (1:1) victory at the Berlin Olympic Stadium on Friday. With three points from two group matches, the Austrians have a fair shot at advancing, while Poland are at risk of elimination.
Goals were scored by Gernot Trauner (9'), Christoph Baumgartner (66'), and Marko Arnautovic (78/Penalty). For Poland, Krzysztof Piatek (30') scored the lone goal. In the final group D match in the capital city on Tuesday (18.00), the Austrians can secure their place in the round of 16 for the second time since 2021 if they beat the Netherlands. If Lewandowski and his teammates fail to advance from the group stage at their fifth EURO participation, it will be their fifth time doing so.
Arnautovic's strategy pays off
Before this "do-or-die" match, as Rangnick labeled it, there were lengthy discussions about a potential starting line-up for Lewandowski. "I had rather anticipated that Lewandowski wouldn't play. After a muscle strain, you need time," Rangnick said before the game on Servus TV. Due to the injury, which had kept him out of the 1:2 against the Netherlands at the start, Lewandowski started on the bench.
Rangnick opted for veteran experience in the striker position and selected Routinier Arnautovic over Michael Gregoritsch from SC Freiburg. But it was Trauner who landed the first blow, as he and Lienhart formed the new defensive pairing. After a blocked corner kick, the defender headed forcefully towards goal following a cross from Philipp Mwene. In the early stages of the game, the Austrians took control, but the Poles began to push back. It was only by luck that Austria avoided an equalizer when the unmarked Nicola Zalewski (18') shot from about 15 meters wide.
Both goalkeepers shine
Poland, booed by their larger fanbase, regained control, but it was Piatek, Lewandowski's replacement, who cleared the ball over the line after a corner kick. Lewandowski, who had been offering continuous guidance to his team, raised both his fists in relief. Just before half-time, Poland's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a crucial save against Marcel Sabitzer (39'), and Piotr Zielinski's free kick struck the Austrian goalkeeper Patrick Pentz (45.+1).
After the break, there was a lack of momentum on both sides, so Probierz brought on Lewandowski for Piatek in the 60th minute to the delight of the fans. However, the danger primarily came from the Austrians during this phase, as Prass found Baumgartner in the penalty area - and the RB Leipzig player calmly slotted home. After a foul by Szczesny on Sabitzer, Arnautovic stepped up to take the penalty.
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After their victory over Poland, Austria looks forward to securing a spot in the EURO 2024 last 16, with Robert Lewandowski missing from their opponents' lineup due to injury. Despite initial discussions about leveraging Lewandowski's expertise, coach Rangnick opted for Marko Arnautovic's experience up front, which proved to be a successful strategy in the Austrians' 3-1 victory.
