This Euro 2020 tournament has been far from easy sailing to Austria.
It took them 78 minutes to get a decisive lead over the fighting Northern Macedonia, and the unpredictable Marko Arnautovic’s dullness against their opponents saw him banned for their second race.
It turned out to be costly, as Das Team limped to a shy 2-0 defeat against the Netherlands, a loss that caused them to slip to third place in Group C on goal difference. Coach Franco Foda knows that his team can not settle for a draw against Ukraine in the last match of the group stage, and must do everything to win.
But which players should he choose for this decisive winner!
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Daniel Bachmann (GK) – The Watford man is the main goalkeeper for Austria, and there is no doubt that he will be between the sticks for this one.
Aleksandar Dragovic (CB) – Foda has gone for a full back three throughout the tournament, and he will do the same here, starting with Dragovic in right midfield.
David Alaba (CB) – The defense star, who probably should play in a position that uses his strengths a little more. Alaba is one of the best in the world in at least three roles. Still, he will more than likely start the game here.
Martin Hinteregger (CB) – Completion of the three backs is Hinteregger, a solid defender for the club Eintracht Frankfurt and his country. On paper, it’s a decent rear guard.
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Stefan Lainer (RWB) – On the right back there should be Lainer. The Borussia Monchengladbach man now has plenty of international experience and must be up to the task.
Konrad Laimer (CM) – To complete the combination Lainer-Laimer is Konrad, who will do the dirty work in midfield. A star for RB Leipzig who hopes to impress.
Xaver Schlager (CM) – Shielding of the backline becomes Schlager. It’s a tough question for a 23-year-old, but he has plenty of knowledge from his time with Wolfsburg.
Marcel Sabitzer (CM) – The talisman in this midfield. Sabitzer is a really exciting player and he will be the key to Austria’s success if he can show a screen similar to the one he produced against Northern Macedonia.
Andreas Ulmer (LWB) – This is the man who will be asked to stop Andriy Yarmolenko – the 35-year-old Ulmer. Good luck fella, time to use all these years of experience to your advantage.
A gentle reminder that Arnautovic is a maniac / Daniel Mihailescu – Pool / Getty Images
Sasa Kalajdzic (ST) – The Stuttgart man did not start in the defeat against the Netherlands, and Foda may be tempted to recall Kalajdzic for this important match.
Marko Arnautovic (ST) – Finally, big bad Marko. Arnautovic is a controversial character, but he is annoyingly good at football. If he starts, Austria automatically has a better chance of qualifying.
