Striker Christopher Baumgartner ran in direction of Ralf Rangnick after scoring the decisive second aim, making it a really reasonable chance that Austria will certainly advance from this event's Group of Demise. There was one thing to it that was understandably cheap.
Rangnick could have been proven the door at Manchester United and was thought of the person to take management there, however since departing within the winter of 2022, he has introduced his 'Gegenpressing' recreation to this tiny soccer nation and has seen it take root.
'They’ve created a brand new buzz within the nation', ahead Nicolas Seewald mentioned in an interview with UEFA.com this week and that proved totally true final night time because the Austrians virtually knocked out Poland, who are actually with out factors and have but to play in opposition to the French aspect.
The decisive aim got here simply minutes after Poland's final go – Robert Lewandowski was put by means of simply earlier than the hour mark. However the talisman was booked inside minutes for elbowing and Austria instantly went within the different course to win a recreation that had been at a stalemate, and appeared destined to see two good footballing nations get rid of one another.
Baumgartner, a eager exponent of the high-intensity, quick-start recreation who scored after six seconds in opposition to Slovakia in February, struck the primary decisive blow. He ran in together with his socks down, and shot previous Wojciech Szczesny, who dived within the unsuitable course regardless of having a full eye on the ball, which didn’t deflect. A dummy offered by Marko Arnautovic, who let the ball circulation into Baumgartner's path from the left, was essential.
Marko Arnautovic (pictured) helped his aspect win 3-1 in opposition to Poland on Friday night time
The previous Stoke ahead scored a penalty late within the second half to safe his aspect's win
Gernot Trauner (pictured) put Austria forward with a header contained in the opening ten minutes
The rating was settled 12 minutes later – Arnautovic despatched a penalty down Szczesny's proper after Jan Bednarek missed an extended punt and gave Marcel Sabitzer the prospect to go in for aim solely to be spilled by the goalkeeper.
It was a most pleasing expertise for Austria, who come into the event as an unknown, unbeaten in 15 of their final 17 worldwide matches, with two defeats together with a loss to France of their opening match of Euro 2024 right here, but they’ve each the French and Dutch groups of their group.
Either side confronted a tricky third match – Poland subsequent confronted France and Austria the Netherlands – right here it was crucial to win and get factors on the board. The shedding group was virtually definitely going dwelling.
Rangnick was the supervisor who taught Jurgen Klopp what efficient urgent actually was like when his newly promoted Hoffenheim aspect beat the present Liverpool supervisor's Dortmund 4-1 in September 2008. 'We now have to get to the place they’re in now,' mentioned a dejected Klopp after that defeat. 'Sadly, tactical behaviour isn’t like using a motorbike. It’s a must to practise again and again.' The Austrian is aware of all of it by now.
Robert Lewandowski's (centre) aspect are actually on the verge of being eradicated from the event after Poland completed backside of Group D.
Krzysztof Piatek (under) scored a aim for Poland earlier than half-time, however Austria overcame them within the second half
Christoph Baumgartner (proper) kicks off his socks and runs in and beats Wojciech Szczesny to attain Austria's second aim.
Ralf Rangnick (centre) could have left Manchester United, however he brings his 'gangenpressing recreation' to Austria
As of late they begin with much more vitality – even their kick-off routine was organised round getting them to run on the Polish defence – and as soon as once more they conceded an early aim due to it.
Gernot Trauner wrapped his head round a bullet header unchallenged after a exact half-volley cross from Phillip Mwene, who had been distinctive within the first half hour. The defence and goalkeeper might have achieved higher, however the ending was very good.
Poland had been closely favored however appeared shaky on the again and there was a stir when Lewandowski, who was nonetheless on the bench for what seemed to be his final worldwide event, acquired up from his seat. He was merely strolling in direction of the bench to talk to another person.
The query was whether or not Austria might sustain that tempo within the warmth of a sweltering Berlin night and the Polish started to check them. They equalised when Southampton's Bedanek's shot hit defender Philipp Linhart and Krzysztok Piatek – on outdated floor right here, as a former Hertha Berlin participant – stepped up impressively, regaining management together with his first contact and burying it together with his proper foot together with his second.
Austria might have additionally acquired the fourth aim as Poland's defence appeared weak.
The defeat means they’ll end backside of Group D, and their Euro Cup run is now successfully over.
Austria will doubtless end third in the event that they don't win in opposition to the Netherlands on Tuesday.
For some time, the Austrians spurned the possibilities they had been creating. Baumgartner scored when the aim appeared to be opening up for them on a counter-attack simply earlier than half-time. Bedanek did nicely to carry off Sabitzer. However the breakthrough got here finally.
There was no manner again for Poland and Austria might have scored a fourth when Konrad Lammer beat the goalkeeper and headed throughout the face of aim. It’s a nice achievement for a rustic of 9 million individuals – the inhabitants of London – in opposition to a rustic of 38 million. They may in all probability be the third-placed qualifiers for the knock-out phases. A group no main nation would really like.
