Ralf Rangnick is calm when Austria is said to be one of the favourites for the European Championship. After their performance against the Netherlands, however, the team boss cannot deny the attribution. His team plays furious football and has Marcel Sabitzer, who is back on top after a deep slump.
Very cool in the goosebump-inducing atmosphere: Marcel Sabitzer had just scored the 3:2 for his Austrians in the European Championship group match against the Netherlands when he turned to the fans and rubbed his arms. On the pitch he had previously curled the ball past the Dutch goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, from a very tight angle on the left. A goal like a painting by Rembrandt: big, powerful, finely worked out details – straight to the heart of the Dutch.
It was Sabitzer himself who drove the attack forward, running into the penalty area from the left, sprinting through the Dutch defense at the perfect moment, running towards the goal and curling the masterfully played pass from Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner into the net. “In the past, my left foot has rarely let me down, so I thought this was a moment where I could take a shot,” said the Dortmund professional after the match.
Very cool, just like his team in a breathless match against the Netherlands. On the other hand, things were heated up in the stands of Berlin’s Olympic Stadium – just like in the city all day. On the one hand, a huge orange wave of around 15,000 fans from the Netherlands swept towards the Olympic Stadium from the exhibition grounds, and on the other hand, the red-clad Austrians showed their colors on the Ku’damm.
Tears from the substituted Dutchman
What began as a celebration turned into a big football party in the stadium. One in which both teams were heavily involved. When Donyell Malen put Austria in the lead after just six minutes with an unfortunate own goal – the seventh of this European Championship – the two teams began to exchange blows. Austria were suddenly top of Group D. With the lead behind them, they dominated the game and their will to win was unmistakable. But shortly after half-time, Cody Gakpo scored to make it 1:1 (47th minute), a quick shake and on. 2:1 thanks to Werder’s Romano Schmid, who was extremely strong that evening (59th minute), then 2:2 again thanks to Memphis Depay (75th minute). Goals yes, but no effective goals.
Neither team wants to lose – the team coached by Ralf Rangnick showed even more determination and even more enthusiasm for the game. His counterpart Ronald Koeman did not play Ian Maatsen or Joshua Zirkzee, while Xavi Simons came on in the 35th minute for Joey Veerman, who had had a terrible day. After being substituted, he sat crying on the bench. Rafael van der Vaart said on Dutch TV during half-time: “I felt sorry for Joey. I was glad he was substituted because it was really super sad to watch him play.” Koeman is also heavily criticized in his home country. He was “responsible for the performance here,” he stressed after the match. He did not want to think about his future in the tournament, refusing to answer the question about his future. “We have another chance, but it has to get better. But it is possible with this team. If it doesn’t work out, then you can ask the question again.”
There was no sign of resentment or sadness among the Austrians. Not even after the 2:2, the renewed equaliser. Instead, there was joy in playing and hard work. Until Sabitzer was rewarded for this and was celebrated by his team-mates and the ecstatic fans. The Austrian fans were already singing “Oh, how beautiful it is”, then the final whistle sounded, Sabitzer had the ball and let it roll out. And the red-white-red party continued.
Sabitzer back on top after CL downfall
“Anyone who knows us Austrians well knows that we work very hard, but we also celebrate very well,” said Sabitzer. In a difficult group with the Netherlands, France and Poland, Austria came out on top. “We knew we had a difficult group ahead of us, but we always believed in ourselves.” He wanted to enjoy this success, “we do that far too rarely in our football lives anyway, because it’s always going on.”
The 30-year-old has just experienced first-hand that life always goes on somehow. The defeat in the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund had depressed him so much that he needed a break afterwards. He was absent from Austria’s pre-European Championship test match against Switzerland. “We are professional athletes, but we are also human beings. You can’t hide or suppress feelings. Everyone who saw me after the game knows what it did to me,” said Sabitzer. “That’s why it doesn’t make sense to be there yet.”
He is now back in impressive form at the European Championships. And the round of 16 is far from over. Who the opponent will be will be decided today in Group F. Turkey, the Czech Republic and Georgia could finish the group in second place. “When you’re in a knockout system, you can get on a roll.” Austria has the quality to beat any opponent, “but it will be a very difficult road.”
Possible DFB duel only in the final
Rangnick also emphasised this: “I said a few weeks ago that I don’t think it’s very likely that we’ll become European champions.” And it’s still not likely now. But – and this should be understood as a warning for all future opponents: “The boys are so ambitious themselves, they all want to get as far as they can,” said the German, who has radically revitalised the team since taking office in 2022: “It’s only possible there step by step. Just as we’ve done up to now.”
A plan that could be very successful. And that – if everything goes perfectly – could actually end with the final Austria versus Germany. Rangnick against his home country, against his former youth coach at TSG Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig. Back in Berlin. In the stadium where his team stayed so cool and gave everyone goosebumps and heat.