In a group where France and Holland were featuring, it would always be a stifling task for teams like Austria and Poland to claim a spot for the next round. Poland booked early tickets for home, but Austria topped the group would feature in the second round for the second time in their tournament history.
The improvement of Austria was evident when Ralph Rangnick took over. He was leveled as a failure in Manchester United which surprised me a lot. Ralph is a very organized coach and prefers to play with an aggressive press.
At Berlin, against Holland, his aggressive pressing with 4-2-2-2 gifted us an entertaining football. They were impressive against the tournament favourites France, saw off Poland and tamed the Dutch.
Austria had swamped the Dutch from kick-off, dominating in their half and popping the ball around crisply.
Their left-back Alexander Prass had already threatened in advanced positions twice and struck gold on the third.
This time he swept a cross towards Marko Arnautovic that Malen, careering in on the stretch to intervene, hammered inside Bart Verbruggen’s near post
Holland responded through Cody Gakpo after the break.
Austria had made ground down the left through Wimmer and, for the first time since the break, were asking a question. Eventually Sabitzer played Florian Grillitsch in at the byline and the resulting cross, stood up deliciously, was bulleted in by a diving Schmid despite De Vrij’s efforts on the line
Memphis Depay equalized after his goal was confirmed by VAR. Meanwhile, Poland equalized at Dortmund against France and the equation of this group was becoming interesting.
Holland was settling and regain the momentum. But Austria gave the Dutch a potent reminder, nobody can sleep on their threat.
Substitute Christoph Baumgartner slid Sabitzer through and, from a tight left-sided angle, he thrashed past Verbruggen.
An aggressive intent pays off most of the times.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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