It took a remarkable goal from Marko Arnautovic to avoid embarrassment in Malaga on Wednesday. But Rangnick was “not dissatisfied overall” with his team’s performance in the 1-0 win against football dwarf Andorra. The ÖFB selection had once again revealed their problem of consistently playing off deep opponents.
“They probably would have opened the champagne bottles here if the game had ended 0-0,” said Rangnick. The Andorrans defended with man and mouse, played for time and sometimes hard. At some point, this style of play “gets on you a bit,” said Rangnick. “It was important that we didn’t get too frustrated. We didn’t always find the right tools, but in the end it’s all about winning a game – winning confidently.”
Rangnick wanted the word “superior” to be understood in the sense that his team had not allowed their opponent, number 151 in the FIFA world rankings, to score and found numerous opportunities themselves. Arnautovic only scored the redeeming goal in the 87th minute. “It’s not that easy if you don’t score a goal early, if you don’t have that can opener,” explained the team boss. “We kept calm and didn’t let ourselves be provoked. We did it persistently.”
Rangnick, who had substituted several regulars, was happier with the second half than with the first. You wouldn’t always have found the right solutions. The two most attacking midfielders – Marcel Sabitzer and Florian Kainz – would have acted too far forward in the 3-4-2-1 system, on a level with solo leader Michael Gregoritsch. “It was better in the second half, we had more levels in the game. We got more players in the sixteen.”
Opponent was “not particularly interested in a football game”
At that point, Arnautovic and Junior Adamu were already two strikers on the field. In addition, with Andreas Weimann and Sabitzer, who had been ordered back, there were two very offensive wingers. Rangnick: “We had everything that was available in offense on the pitch. That certainly helped. Overall, I think the lads did well in the second half against an opponent who wasn’t particularly interested in a football game .”
However, the opponents in the European Championship qualification will not be particularly interested if this tactic promises success against the ÖFB team. Qualifying starts in 2023 with a home double against Azerbaijan (March 24) and Estonia (March 27) – two clear underdogs against whom you shouldn’t afford to lose points. “If we win all the games 1-0, I don’t mind. If we don’t give the opponent a single chance to score, not even,” emphasized Rangnick.
Other ÖFB group opponents are favorite Belgium and Sweden. Playful solutions will also be needed against the Swedes, who are not necessarily known for their unconditional offensive drive. Rangnick also cited the influence of the fans: “Except in Corona times, I can’t remember an international match with so few spectators.” There were less than 200 at the La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga.
The goal is to win against Italy
According to the ÖFB, 15,000 tickets have been sold for the end of the year on Sunday (8.45 p.m. / live ORF 1) in Vienna against Italy. Rangnick assured that he was convinced that his team would play well at the start of the European Championship qualification. “But now it’s about playing a good game against Italy, about winning – that’s the goal.”
A three-man defense may be used against the European champions, as against Andorra. “We have a lot of really good central defenders who also play well at international level,” said Rangnick, explaining his choice of system. “For me it’s about how do we get our best players onto the pitch so that they have a good balance between offense and defense as a team?”
On the other hand, there are not “an excessive number of normally trained, trained full-backs”. “That’s why it’s quite possible that we occupy the wingback positions more offensively against other opponents.” Phillipp Mwene and debutant Alexander Prass were allowed to try against Andorra before the break, while substitute Weimann sustained a minor injury during the game.
“Of course it’s also possible to play like this against strong opponents,” said Rangnick about the back three. The 64-year-old recalled the two Nations League duels with vice world champion Croatia (3: 0 / a, 1: 3 / h). “In the build-up game, it will be even more effective against opponents who are interested in a normal football game.” The ÖFB selection must currently hope for such opponents.
Source: Nachrichten
