Austria take on Turkey in the round of 16 after topping a ‘group of death’ including France and the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
Ralf Rangnick’s tenure at Manchester United might not have been an overall success, but his Austria side have impressed, including a thrilling 3-2 win over the Dutch. Austria have not won a group since in the major tournaments since the 1978 World Cup, and the unorthodox 4-2-2-2 system has reaped its rewards.
Turkey’s journey to the knockout stages has not been as fluent, but they have been involved in some fiery clashes. Their 2-1 win over the Czech Republic included 18 cards shown in or after the game, a new record for any match at the Euros, while their match with Georgia saw fights in the stands before kick-off.
Follow all the live action from Austria v Turkey in the live blog below:
‘It’s going to be a cool game’
Austria midfielder, Nicolas Seiwald, said: “It’s going to be a really cool game. Of course the pulse is going a little faster for what promises to be an intense game. It’s about maintaining composure to make sure we’re in the right mindset to make the right decisions.
“The fans have been exceptional. When you have friends texting you saying ‘we’ve finished top of the group – this is the best day of my life’, then you can’t help but take some pride in that.”
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:50
Mert Muldur on facing Austria
Turkey defender Mert Muldur previewed tonight’s last-16 tie by saying: “After losing 6-1 to Austria in March, we studied our opponents thoroughly and learned valuable lessons. We would like to correct our mistakes from that match, put in a great performance and win the game.
“Austria deservedly finished Group D in first place. However, our team have more talented players compared with them. If we perform well as a team, I believe we will finish the match with a good result tomorrow.
“We expect a very determined, hardworking and competitive opponent. We will take precautions for what they do both offensively and defensively. We have a big squad and I believe those who play in place of the missing players will also perform well.”
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:45
Austria v Turkey
Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella said his side face a tough test against a team who are “perhaps the best team as a unit”.
“They are a team that presses very aggressively high up the pitch, very consistently and they are excellent in transition,” he said,
“They remind me of a club team because they are able to recognise all different match situations.”
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:40
Austria v Turkey
Turkey have not won any of their past four competitive matches (D3, L1) without their captain Hakan Calhanolgu, who is suspended for the game. That run includes a 2-1 defeat by the Faroe Islands.
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:35
Austria v Turkey
Turkey have qualified from the group stage of a European Championship for the third time. Their last appearance in the knockout phase was in 2008 when they reached the semi-finals before they were beaten by Germany.
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:30
Austria v Turkey
Ralf Rangnick has a win percentage of 60% as Austria boss having tasted victory in 15 of his 25 games in charge. Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands are the only European nations with a higher win percentage since Rangnick took charge in June 2022.
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:25
Nobody told Austria this was the group of death – they’ve reshaped the map of Euro 2024
If this was supposed to be the group of death, no one told Austria. Ralf Rangnick’s endearing underdogs have reshaped the draw, and perhaps the destiny, of Euro 2024 by topping it.
They beat Netherlands. More than that, though, they blitzed them; fearless and ferocious, Austria recovered from conceding two equalisers to condemn the Dutch to defeat courtesy of Marcel Sabitzer’s terrific finish.
They head to Leipzig as group winners. Netherlands, their qualification already assured, nonetheless stumbled from first to third on an eventful afternoon. It is Gelsenkirchen for them.
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:20
Austria v Turkey
Austria’s last victory in the knockout phase of a major tournament was a 3-1 win over Uruguay at the 1954 World Cup. They did win a second-round game against Germany at the 1978 World Cup when the format involved a second group stage.
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:15
Austria v Turkey
This is the 18th meeting between Austria and Turkey but the first time they have faced each other at a major tournament. The teams met for the first time in eight years in March where Austria ran out 6-1 winners thanks to a Michael Gregoritsch hat-trick.
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:10
Austria v Turkey team changes
Ralf Rangnick makes four changes to the Austria team that defeated the Netherlands in their final group game. Out go Max Wober, Alexander Prass, Florian Grillitsch and Patrick Wimmer with Kevin Danso, Konrad Laimer, Christoph Baumgartner and Phillip Mwene coming in.
For Turkey there are three changes. Samet Akaydin, Salih Ozcan and Hakan Calhanoglu are replaced with Abdulkerim Bardakci, Kaan Ayhan and Orkan Kokcu.
Mike Jones2 July 2024 19:06