The Leipzig legionnaire is one of those players who always tries to classify the games objectively. This was also the case after the impressive performance against Turkey, which could have gone in a different direction. “The result is outstanding, but too good. We struggled in the first half, but we scored at the right time and were brutally efficient.”
Again Austria took the lead in a flash, although this time not in world record time. Then the Turks came up and deserved the equalizer. Instead of a fair draw at the break, Michael Gregoritsch scored for the first time that evening. Inspired by this, the team then showed an “almost perfect second half” (team boss Ralf Rangnick, note), in which Austria demonstrated its current class as a united team.
National team handles Türkiye
Austria’s national football team has also passed the second European Championship test – and that with a shooting festival. ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick’s selection defeated Turkey 6-1 (2-1) in Vienna’s Happel Stadium on Tuesday and celebrated their fifth win in a row.
“Everything wasn’t perfect”
Offensive man Christoph Baumgartner, who has been the fastest international men’s goalscorer worldwide since Saturday in 6.3 seconds, followed Schlager’s lead. “Not everything was perfect today, especially in the first half, where you could see the quality of the Turks,” emphasized the Lower Austrian, who almost scored after around 100 seconds this time, Schlager ultimately dusted off after 103.
GEPA/Philipp Brem Team boss Rangnick found it easy to direct his team against Turkey this time
After the game, Rangnick thought a lot of his team was “extremely strong”, including the beginning. Like all of the 38,500 spectators, including the expected loudest group of Turkish fans, Rangnick also saw an improved opponent. “We had problems in the phase from the 25th to the 40th minute, but I found it impressive how we found ourselves again in the difficult phase. It was an extremely strong team effort and willpower.”
Phenomenal pressing football
Gregoritsch’s early goal after the restart naturally played into the ÖFB team’s hands. Phenomenal pressing football ultimately ensured clear conditions, which can be seen as even more impressive in the absence of ÖFB stars David Alaba, Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer. “The way we manage to build up pressure is just fun,” emphasized Baumgartner.
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Austria plays Türkiye against the wall
In addition to the usual suspects such as Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald and Konrad Laimer, Romano Schmid (“I believe that our team has never been as broad and well-staffed as it is right now”) also attracted attention in this regard and promoted himself. “We work as a team,” emphasized Schlager. And triple goal scorer Gregoritsch also highlighted the qualities as a unit: “Presence on the pitch, with and against the ball, is our strength. We are a very unpleasant team.”
“Stay on the ground” before the European Championships
But as Schlager never tires of emphasizing, it only counts at the European Championship finals in June. “You shouldn’t think that we can win against everyone, it was two friendly games. Of course it’s great for self-confidence, for the team structure and the general feeling. But the decisive factor is the European Championships, before that everything doesn’t really matter. Of course it’s nice for the statistics, but in ten years I will remember the European Championships, not the preparatory games,” said the 26-year-old.
Baumgartner also warned the red-white-red public not to fall into euphoria less than three months before the European Championships. “The most important thing is that we all stay on the ground. We don’t have to hide from anyone, but there will be games where we struggle and we don’t win. Then it’s important that we pull together and know what we’re capable of. Stay grounded, keep working, then a lot is possible and we will have fun.”
Friendly international match
Tuesday:
Austria – Türkiye 6:1 (2:1)
Vienna, Ernst Happel Stadium, 38,500 spectators, SR Chiffi (ITA)
Torfolge:
1:0 X. Schlager (2nd)
1:1 Calhanoglu (25th/penalty)
2:1 Gregoritsch (44.)
3:1 Gregoritsch (48.)
4:1 Gregoritsch (59th/penalty)
5:1 Baumgartner (78th/penalty)
6:1 Entrup (95.)
Austria: A. Schlager – Posch, Danso (88./Daniliuc), Wöber, Mwene (70./Prass) – Seiwald, X. Schlager – Laimer (88./Cham), Baumgartner (82./Wimmer), Schmid (81. /Weimann) – Gregoritsch (82./Entrup)
Türkiye: U. Cakir – Müldür, Demiral, Ayhan, Özkacar (77th/Celik) – Özcan (61st/Kökcü), Calhanoglu (88th/High) – I. Kahveci (61st/Akgün), Arda Güler (77th/ Ömür), Aktürkoglu (61./BA Yilmaz) – Yildiz
Yellow cards: A. Schlager, Posch or Calhanoglu, Arda Güler, Kökcü
