Ralf Rangnick says self-belief will probably be very important as his Austria aspect hunt a significant scalp of their Euro 2024 opener towards France on Monday.
France are seen among the many favourites to win the match, having received the 2018 World Cup and completed as runners-up at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup underneath Didier Deschamps.
Nevertheless, Les Bleus have been tasked with a troublesome draw, with Austria tipped as potential darkish horses and the Netherlands beating Poland 2-1 in Group D’s first match on Sunday.
Austria completed only one level behind Belgium of their first qualification marketing campaign underneath former Manchester United boss Rangnick, who has wanted little time to implement his most popular high-pressing fashion.
Austria allowed their opponents fewer passes per defensive motion (8.3 PPDA) than another crew throughout qualifying, additionally attacking with the quickest direct pace, shifting the ball upfield at a pace of two.03 metres per second.
Rangnick plans to take the sport to France in Dusseldorf, telling his gamers there may be no inferiority complicated if they’re to earn a end result.
“That’s essential, that we are going to be brave, that we’re satisfied of our personal energy,” Rangnick mentioned at his pre-match press convention.
“What’s actually very important is the way in which that we carry out, not the way in which that France performs, or whether or not they’re just a little bit higher or just a little bit worse, it’s solely about us.
“We ready for over two years for this present day. It’s lastly beginning for us. We’re actually excited. There’s pleasure above every little thing else.”
5 – Excluding penalties, Christoph Baumgartner was straight concerned in additional targets than another Austria participant within the EURO 2024 qualifying marketing campaign (three targets, two assists). Decisive. #OnesToWatch #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/VahJn4QMAU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 9, 2024
One in every of Austria’s most urgent duties will probably be to close out Kylian Mbappe, who has scored 12 targets in his final three worldwide tournaments (4 on the 2018 World Cup, none at Euro 2020, eight on the 2022 World Cup).
Harry Kane is the one European participant to match that determine, and the England man was additionally the one participant from Europe’s high 5 leagues to equal Mbappe’s 44 targets in 2023-24.
Nevertheless, Rangnick says Austria can not afford to focus completely on anyone participant, such is the energy of the France squad.
“With our fashion of taking part in we’ve got to counter him and the entire French crew, we’ve got to be sure that he doesn’t obtain as many balls as he likes,” he mentioned.
“We all know from our personal strengths that we will win this match.”