Austria’s Squad for the European Championship 2024: Fixtures, Predictions and Best Players

Ralf Rangnick has given the Austrian national team new impetus and the Central Europeans are optimistic about the Euro 2024.

Austria and its coffeehouses played an unsung role in the development of the sport across the continent. After the “miracle team” era of the 1930s, the country struggled for decades to regain its status.

Their youngest generation is considered to be the most talented in living memory, but Franco Foda’s bland ideals meant that they failed to achieve success on the big international stage. Fans at home had lost interest.

However, Rangnick has brought about a drastic turnaround and given the Austrian team the title of “insider tip” for the upcoming tournament.

Here is 90 minutes Guide for Rangnick’s Austria at the 2024 European Championship.

Due to injuries, Rangnick was without some important players in his squad.

David Alaba suffered a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in the middle of the 2023/24 season and is not fit for the tournament, while the energetic Xavier Schlager Austria is also not there. However, Rangnick has several midfielders with Schlager’s profile in his squad.

Experienced striker Marko Arnautovic has proven to be a practical squad player for Serie A champions Inter and was included in the final 26-man squad for the tournament. Freiburg’s Michael Gregoritsch has a better chance of securing a starting position at the top.

Austria’s 2024 European Championship squad

Rangnick has completely changed Austria; Foda’s cautious and reactive principles are now only a distant memory.

This Austrian team is full of energy, with Rangnick adopting the standard Red Bull 4-2-2-2 system. Austria operate with two number 10s, led out wide by their full-backs. The midfielders have plenty to do to provide cover, but Rangnick is blessed with a litany of Duracell bunnies who can meet his requirements with and without the ball.

Austria can put other teams under pressure, as was the case with their 6-1 win over Turkey earlier this year.

Rangnick has been able to impose the ideals that made his teams Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig such tough opponents. Austria can provide variety with the ball, but will continue to be keen to take possession away from teams that are well ahead. It will be interesting to see how they fare against France and the Netherlands in the group stage.

There are two “groups of death” at the 2024 European Championship, and Austria has been drawn into one of them. Rangnick’s team will face France and the Netherlands in Group D, as well as Robert Lewandowski’s Poland.

The tournament begins for Austria against one of the tournament favorites in Düsseldorf, with Austria aiming for only its second victory over France since 1970.

They have not beaten the Netherlands since 1990, while Poland has won more than half of its nine head-to-head meetings. Austria’s last victory against Poland dates back to 1994.

Despite their poor record so far, Austria could still cause a stir in Group D, while Poland are unlikely to cause any problems for the other three teams in the group.

Austria’s group match schedule for the 2024 European Championship

Austria’s record against opponents in the group stage of the 2024 European Championship

Austria’s possible knockout opponents

They may be underdogs, but it would be a huge surprise if Austria overtake France in Group D. Should they exceed all expectations and win the group, Austria would face the runners-up from Group F in the round of 16.

The most likely opponents in this scenario would be Turkey or the Czech Republic; Portugal and Georgia would also be in the group.

A second place in Group D would put them in second place from Group E in the round of 16. Ukraine would be the favourites, although they are perfectly capable of knocking Belgium off the top spot.

If Austria finishes among the four best third-placed teams in the group, it will face one of the three potential group winners. England and Spain would be possible options if Austria decides to go this route.

Only Toni Polster (46) has scored more goals for Austria than Arnautovic (36), but the Inter striker is not expected to play a major role for his country this summer.

The burden of scoring goals is expected to fall on Michael Gregoritschwho has 15 goals in 55 international matches after hitting his peak in qualifying. The Freiburg star has scored eight goals in his last 12 games for Austria and scored a hat-trick against Turkey in March.

Gregoritsch will lead Austria’s pressing from the front and work tirelessly in all phases. He can hold the ball and run the channels and acts as a key player in transitions.

The absence of Xaver Schlager means Konrad Laimer has an even bigger role to play in midfield. Laimer has long been revered for his energy and the Bayern Munich midfielder enjoyed a great end to the season, impressing particularly in the closing stages of the Champions League.

The absence of captain Alaba should allow Lens to Kevin Dance to fill the gap. Danso, who has 20 caps for his country, fits well into Rangnick’s highly dynamic and aggressive system without the ball due to his athleticism and ability to defend as part of a high line.

Tricky Wolfsburg winger Patrick Wimmer is one of several Bundesliga stars in this Austrian squad, although the 23-year-old is perhaps the least known. But that’s not to say Wimmer isn’t distinctive. His presence is sure to stand out in Germany this summer, and the free-spirited winger is expected to shine for Rangnick’s side.

Nicolas Seiwald has not yet established himself at RB Leipzig after joining from FC Salzburg last summer, but he could play a big role in midfield should Rangnick decide to use the 23-year-old in Schlager’s absence.

The noble Christoph Baumgartner is another name to keep an eye on.

So-called “secret favorites” have failed to live up to expectations before, including Turkey at Euro 2020. And there is a possibility that Rangnick’s Austria will fall flat on its face in Germany this summer.

The quality of their opponents in the group stage will be a concern for some, with France and the Netherlands both possessing the ball ability to break through Austria’s pressing. Rangnick’s team have managed to dominate teams without the ball throughout his tenure, so their response to teams that are successful in build-up play will be crucial to their chances this summer. The manager needs to show some pragmatism.

Nevertheless, Austria are going into the tournament with enormous confidence and are definitely a team that should inspire. They will make life difficult for the superior team in their group and perhaps even push the Netherlands out of second place. However, the quarter-finals are their ultimate goal.