Ralf Rangnick expressed immense pride ahead of leading Austria into Euro 2024, describing it as one of his career highlights, despite entering his first major international tournament at 65 years old. The Austrian team, markedly improved under his guidance, kicks off their campaign against tournament favorites France in Duesseldorf, followed by clashes with Poland and the Netherlands in what is widely regarded as the toughest group in the competition.
“We’ve been preparing for over two years for this day tomorrow,” Rangnick emphasized to reporters. His tenure began in 2022 following a brief stint at Manchester United and a recent decision to reject an offer from Bayern Munich, opting to continue leading Austria instead.
“After a long qualifying campaign and being drawn in the strongest group, we’re finally starting and we’re truly excited,” Rangnick added, highlighting both joy and ambition within the squad to advance to the knockout stages.
Austria secured a second-place finish in their qualifying group behind Belgium, showcasing strong form with six consecutive victories before a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their final friendly match before the Euros. Notable wins during this period include a 2-0 triumph over Germany and a convincing 6-1 victory against Turkey.
Facing France, the top-ranked European team, poses a significant challenge for Austria, who last encountered them in a 2-0 defeat during the UEFA Nations League in September 2022.
“We’re up against one of the top favorites, the World Cup runners-up, and undoubtedly a team with the best squad and forwards,” Rangnick acknowledged. “Our focus is on delivering our best performance. It’s crucial that we approach the match with courage and confidence in our abilities.”
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich midfielder Konrad Laimer acknowledged the formidable task ahead against France, dismissing any distractions from non-footballing issues, such as upcoming elections in France that have dominated recent press conferences.
“France has an exceptional squad with numerous individual talents,” Laimer noted. “Our strategy revolves around playing our style of football. When facing teams like France, neutralizing their star players is key. It demands an exceptional performance, but we’ve prepared diligently for this moment.”
“This Euros is being held in our neighboring country, where many of our players reside and have long been based,” Laimer concluded, underscoring the significance of the tournament’s location for the Austrian squad.
