According to paper form, the most difficult task of this Nations League group phase awaits Austria’s national football team on Thursday (8.45 p.m. / live ORF 1). In Saint-Denis near Paris, the ÖFB selection will face the reigning world champion France, who urgently needs a win due to the table situation. Despite the outsider role, team boss Ralf Rangnick is counting on a lot, especially since the “Bleus” were wrested a 1-1 draw in Vienna in June.
The German draws optimism not only from the performance in this game, but also from the appearances before that in the 3-0 win in Croatia and the 1-2 draw at home against Denmark. “We played very dominantly in these three games and, with a few exceptions, were in control. That will also be a basic requirement for Thursday,” explained Rangnick, adding: “It’s important that we’re as proactive and courageous as we were in the first leg.”
The French have to play eleven players due to injuries, prominent kickers like Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, Hugo Lloris, N’Golo Kante or Kingsley Coman are missing. However, Rangnick doubts that the many failures mean a massive weakening for the hosts.
“Mbappe is fit and in very good shape and he’s the only one they couldn’t replace on an equal footing. Everyone else can replace them in one way or another. Along with Spain, they have an incredible density and breadth of top talent like no other country,” said the ÖFB coach and added that he sees the French in a better position than the Iberians in this regard.
In addition, his team also had to cope with serious failures. “In Konrad Laimer, we’re missing a player who we can’t replace one-for-one,” said Rangnick. In addition, the absence of Sasa Kalajdzic, who is currently suffering from a cruciate ligament rupture, and Kevin Danso, who is suspended against France, is painful, stressed Rangnick.
In terms of the line-up, the 64-year-old naturally did not allow any details to be elicited. The question of number one – the first contenders are Heinz Lindner and Patrick Pentz – remained unanswered, as did that of the system. In the June match against France, the Austrians looked good with a back four, but this time three central defenders could be used. “Basically, we want to be able to play different formations with a view to qualifying for the European Championship. It must also be on the agenda that we can defend against three or five,” Rangnick clarified.
No big surprises are to be expected in the selection of personnel. “We will set up what we think is the best eleven and not experiment,” announced the national coach. In his view, the game at the Stade de France and Sunday’s home match against Croatia are important for two reasons. “These are games that give us a bit of an indication of the European Championship qualifiers. We see them as important games to get points and stay in the top division, but also to prepare for the European Championship qualifiers in the best possible way year to prepare.”
In the Nations League, the ÖFB team ranks third, two points ahead of France at the bottom. Should David Alaba and Co. win in Saint-Denis, Austria’s place in the top division would be secured prematurely and the world champion would be relegated. “We would like to measure ourselves against the best in two years, but what ultimately counts are the European and World Championships,” said Rangnick.
In the three training sessions before the game, the team boss kept the physical strain within narrow limits and relied on discussions and video studies. So on Tuesday morning there was a nearly ten-minute video for the players, in which the things that were important for Rangnick were clarified again. According to the coach, it was a kind of refresher. “I think it was a bit self-explanatory,” said Rangnick.