Daniel Bachmann: Sufficient
After two test matches, the Watford goalie made his competitive debut on the big stage against North Macedonia. The 26-year-old actually had nothing to do for almost half an hour until the 28th minute came. Bachmann could not hold the ball in a tough duel against Trajkovski, then lost his orientation and could only watch how the equalizer fell. A bitter and unhappy situation for him. After that he was able to clear against Nikolov once and was very sure of his foot. The mistake naturally casts a shadow over his game, but he shouldn’t let that discourage him.
Aleksandar Dragovic: Gut
In his 91st international match, Dragovic often attacked from defense in order to interfere early against the North Macedonians. The veteran played it safe in his actions with the ball. In an air duel with Trajkovski, Dragovic caught a bad elbow check. He could continue the game until the break, but then had to stay in the dressing room. An EM doesn’t mean it well with him. In 2016 he saw red in the first game and shot a penalty in the third.
David Alaba: Very good
The search for a position for Alaba found a new chapter against the North Macedonians. The Real Legionnaire acted in the center of a chain of three and had the game in front of him. The captain concentrated on defensive work and building up the game. Alaba carefully steered those in front and had the highest pass rate in the game with 89 percent. Except for the unfortunate goal, the North Macedonians found no chance under Alaba’s defensive direction. In the end, the ÖFB star really wanted to win and became more offensive. With his dream preliminary work to 2-1 by Gregoritsch, he set the course for victory.
Martin Hinteregger: Satisfactory
The Frankfurt legionnaire initially set up his game offensively. The closer the opposing goal came, the more he ran out of ideas. Before the equalization, he chose the left outer instep to clarify, instead of uncompromisingly plastering it. A fatal mistake that shouldn’t happen to a veteran like him. After that, Hinteregger was out of place in some actions and did not attach simple passports. In the end, he was able to excel again in defensive actions and ironed out his lapses.
Stefan Lainer: Very good (+)
The Gladbach legionnaire was an absolute asset in the ÖFB game and ran his lungs out on the right side. He was initially rewarded with a dream goal. Acrobatically and in the manner of a goalscorer, he scored with his second team goal for a 1-0 lead. Lainer stayed offensively on the trigger and delivered crosses. Also defensively, the 28-year-old showed fantastic actions and perfectly timed tackles in his 30th international match. In the end, he got himself a yellow card through a tactical foul – which was necessary when the score was 2: 1. With 10.84 kilometers he also ran the second most kilometers of all ÖFB players. The bottom line is a world class performance.
Konrad Laimer: Good
The Leipzig legionnaire took his part in the defensive midfield. Laimer toiled as usual and worked his way into the game with his energy. In defense, however, he was able to capture the ball and thus ensure stability at the back. He often went from the offensive to the defense with a full sprint and used it to plug holes. In terms of play, he owed something for a long time before he did the preparatory work for Arnautovic’s goal with his heel and a little luck.
Xaver Schlager: Satisfactory
The Wolfsburg legionnaire worked hard and did not shy away from a duel. Unfortunately, he was hardly involved in the game, especially in the first half. After starting again, he immediately conceded a tough foul, which was even more motivating. Schlager was better in the game and was able to convince in one or the other action with the ball. A solid performance, but there is still room for improvement.
Christoph Baumgartner: Sufficient
The 21-year-old made his debut on the big stage. This fact was noticeable to the Hoffenheim legionnaire. Baumgartner acted nervously, found the game sluggish and could not develop any punch. Even his dangerous solo runs and attempts to succeed in one-on-one do not succeed. In the 58th minute it was over, Gregoritsch came on for Baumgartner. EM is also a learning process, which Baumgartner can master with his qualities.
Andreas Ulmer: Satisfactory
Ulmer was not as active on the left as Lainer. But the Salzburg man delivered a solid performance without any light or shadow. On the offensive he tried hard to develop danger, but did not come into its own. In defense, everything was in control for a long time. But once he made a positional error and let Nikolov pull on goal after a hole pass.
Marcel Sabitzer: Good
The Leipziger made a sensational debut in the game. Sabitzer was full of motivation and was a real hot spur on the pitch. In the first 30 minutes he was playfully convincing across the board. He got the balls off the defensive and skillfully staged his teammates. The highlight was the fantastic pass to Lainer to make it 1-0. He also gave Kalajdzic a chance. After the break, Sabitzer was no longer so dominant, but still in good shape. With 11.11 kilometers, he ran the most kilometers of all Austrians.
Sasa Kalajdzic: Sufficient
The ÖFB game lacked ideas in the first half in the last third, which is why Kalajdzic was rarely able to come into its own. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old found a great opportunity, but could not use it because he did not hit the ball properly. Kalajdzic was also unable to hold the ball as desired. In terms of experience on the big stage, the same applies to him as to Baumgartner – it is a learning process because he can cope with it.
Philipp Lienhart: Good
The Freiburg resident replaced the injured Dragovic after the break and continued seamlessly where his experienced colleague left off. Lienhart was always there where danger threatened. He acted with consistency in the duel and calm on the ball and thus proved that he can take his part in defense at any time.
Marko Arnautovic: Very good
Team boss Franco Foda did not want to take any unnecessary risks with Arnautovic and therefore decided not to be part of the star formation. In the 58th minute, however, the time had come, Arnautovic came into play for the hapless Kalajdzic. The Chinese legionnaire made his debut with a Fersler. But it should come even better and, above all, more successfully. Arnautovic was crowning goal scorer for the final score. A perfect yield for almost 30 minutes of use.
Michael Gregoritsch: Very good
That’s what “Jokers” are for: Gregoritsch came into play for Baumgartner in the 58th minute and scored the decisive 2-1 for Austria. Before that he had cleverly cheated his way past two North Macedonians and used Alaba’s preparatory work as ice-cold. For the Augsburg legionnaire it was the fifth team goal in the 27th game and certainly one of the most important. In front of his goal, Gregoritsch failed in the 64th minute in an attempt with the back of his head against goalie Dimitrievski.
