Rangnick on Euro 2020 exit: “It feels undeserved”

Christoph Baumgartner was inconsolable, the 24-year-old shed bitter tears of disappointment in the arms of non-playing captain David Alaba. The Horn player could have sent Austria into extra time in the 94th minute with his header, which was excellently saved by Mert Günok. But that wasn’t the case. The sting of the 1:2 defeat in the round of 16 against Turkey is incredibly deep, Marcel Sabitzer’s gaze seemed to go into Nirvana, even though he and his colleagues, who were also fighting selflessly, had the red-white-red “wall” with thousands of applauding fans in front of him.

“There is an emptiness in everyone at the moment. We sparked euphoria in Austria, now there is only disappointment,” said defender Maximilian Wöber with moist eyes. “In the first half we didn’t really find our game, then things went better. We had chances, but the ball just wouldn’t go in. I think there is a lot in this team. Our core team is at a perfect age for us to impress at the World Cup. But we have to get over that first,” explained the Mönchengladbach legionnaire.

Tears among ÖFB players

59 percent possession, 20:6 shots, 10:4 corners, an expected goals ratio of 2.73:0.87 – you don’t usually leave the field as a loser with statistics like that. But that’s how it was.

“When you see what we have invested, the whole thing feels pretty grotesque and surreal. In the play-offs, it’s all about deciding games. The only criticism you can make of us is that we only scored one goal,” said ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick.

“We had so many great opportunities. After our goal (by Michael Gregoritsch/66th, ed.) the Turks defended with all their might. I can’t believe that we have to go home now. It feels undeserved.”

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