Austria out against Türkiye – ZDFheute

Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautovic after the match.

Source: dpa/Robert Michael

“Disappointed” and “empty”: What else should Ralf Rangnick feel after the 1:2 (0:1) defeat against Turkey and Austria’s exit in the round of 16? At the press conference after probably the most important match of the European Championship 2024 so far, the team boss of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) left it with only these few words. In just under ten minutes, the 66-year-old gave many insights into his emotional state.

“I can’t even imagine that we will be traveling back tomorrow,” the Swabian admitted late on Tuesday evening:

It was clear to us that the journey would continue for a long time.

Ralf Rangnick, ÖFB team manager

Austria conceded their first goal against Turkey in the first minute. Although the Austrians have more chances, the Turkish keeper saves his team into the quarter finals. 02.07.2024 | 7:12 min

Rangnick are having a tough time as they leave the European Championship

From a sporting point of view, Rangnick could only blame his team for two things. “We had a game against Turkey in March, which we won 6-1. We had fewer shots on target than today,” said the Swabian, explaining one reason for the end. And: “We didn’t defend well twice from set pieces.”

Austria’s dream of a historic entry – and almost expected after the first place in France Group D – entry into the quarter-finals of the European Championship: two header goals from the Turkish central defender Merih Demiral (1/59) suddenly destroyed it .

What was it about?

There were two blows to the neck that caught the not-so-secret EM favorites off guard: Rangnick’s team could beat themselves before conceding both goals.

Freiburg professional Michael Gregoritsch was able to reduce the score to 1:2 (66′). Before and after, Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic in particular had many chances to give a different twist to the round of 16 in front of 38,305 spectators in Leipzig. But in the end, Turkey goalkeeper Mert Günok fought passionately against Baumgartner’s header with a brilliant reflex on the line in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The Netherlands prevailed against the Romanians and are in the quarter finals. Cody Gakpo’s performance and Donyell Malen’s brace were key.02.07.2024 | 9:14 min

The tour ends in the round of 16

Austria denied its role as the secret choice until the end. Attacking ace Marcel Sabitzer dismissed the idea of ​​Austria’s summer fairy tale after a 3-2 display against the Netherlands in the final group game.

After the round of 16 exit – in 2021 the ÖFB team was much less determined after making it just as far – there was a dull feeling that there was much more possible. What’s left now are the bitter subjunctives (Rangnick: “I’m pretty sure we would have won the game in overtime”) and the less harsh form of reality (“That’s what the playoffs are about: you finish. .. the games on your side and win).

But also “many” positive insights that the ÖFB coach did not want to ignore:

I think the four games we played had some of the most entertainment value.

Ralf Rangnick, ÖFB team manager

Things continue for Turkey on Saturday

On the other hand, the Turkish summer fairy tale could quickly gain momentum. Next Saturday (9 pm) coach Vincenzo Montella’s team will face the Netherlands in Berlin.

Just as a reminder: The Turkish fans had already turned a test match against Germany in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium into a “home game” in November 2023, as DFB sporting director Rudi Völler later noted, without anger

The Austrians took the lead three times, and the Netherlands were only able to counter it twice. As France only managed to reach the final in the parallel match, Austria won Group D.
25.06.2024 | 7:51 min

Fans in a party mood

The Turkish supporters celebrated before, during and after the fast-paced duel with the ÖFB team in Leipzig. “We are happy to have given this pride to the Turks in Germany,” Montella praised the “affection, passion and love” of his own fans on Tuesday evening.

Double scorer Demiral can hardly wait for the home game at the Olympic Stadium:

Our fans are simply amazing. It will be a great opportunity for us in Berlin.

Merih Demiral, Turkish footballer

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