The ÖFB team lost 1:2 at the home premiere of Teamchef Ralph Rangnick against Denmark. The result was a disappointment because of the performance – because the national team showed a lot in the second game under the German, which can give confidence for the upcoming tasks.
As in the 3-0 win against Croatia in Osijek on Friday, the second half was the better one. As Austria pressed for the winning goal, it fell to the Danes through the former Austria Wien defender Lars Stryger Larsen.
Friedl couldn’t find the forward gear
Rangnick sent Austria onto the field with a similar formation that had worked very well against Croatia (3-0) in the second half – but with a completely different team: Nur Xavier Schlager and Konrad Laimer were left over from the starting XI in Osijek.
In Croatia, the ÖFB team put pressure on in a 4-2-2-2 from the 30th minute, this time it was more of a 4-2-3-1: the left defender Marco Friedl Didn’t find the forward gear and therefore didn’t give width when in possession. For this reason felt front man Dejan Ljubicic responsible, Christopher Baumgartner had to close a central gap in midfield. That inhibited the pressing on the front line. The Danes, who were sure of the ball, hardly had any problems with it because the Austrians were often late.
The first Danish shot on goal was a goal: After a short free kick in midfield, Schlager and Nicholas Seiwald Played off with a pass due to lack of stagger. Rasmus Kristensen got the ball completely free on the right wing, Friedl and Ljubicic didn’t feel responsible for the Salzburg defender. His cross only became the perfect assist for a goalscorer Pierre-Emile Hojbjergbecause it was deflected by Friedl (28th).
Arnautovic and Gregoritsch brought momentum
The ÖFB team got more access in the second half – also thanks to the changes. Michael Gregorych and Marko Arnautovic made the build-up game much more difficult for the Danes, winning the ball made it 1-1: Gregoritsch blocked a goalkeeper’s shot Kasper SchmeichelArnautovic put it back to Schlager, who scored to equalize (67.)
Austria captured a few balls in the attacking third and had chances to score the lead. Arnautovic shot at the bar with the best – but contrary to the course of the game, the Danes scored: Stryger Larsen got from Christopher Trimmel too much space and curled the ball into the far corner – 1:2 (84th).
Nevertheless, the performance of the national team was once again thrilling, the game plan was clear, even if not everything worked out. The ÖFB team was at least on a par with the EM semi-finalists – in other words, very different from almost a year ago when Austria was beaten by the Danes in Vienna at 0: 4.
Source: Nachrichten
