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Preview: Austria vs. Turkiye

Preview: Austria vs. Turkiye

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There have been some wonderful tactical match-ups at Euro 2024 already, but this one might be one of the most intriguing even if the team names don’t immediately draw the eye.

By Karl Matchett

Indeed, the contrast between Austria and Turkey so far hints that this could be one of the ties of the round in the last 16.

First, Ralf Rangnick’s Austrian outfit have been extremely impressive on and off the ball, one of the most cohesive units with clarity of ideas and a manner of progressing the ball which suits both personnel and tactical set-up.

Then there’s Türkiye: all fire and fury, technically excellent but prone to overcommitting, to spells of failing concentration, to feeling they can score every time they attack – but looking vulnerable to mishaps, mindlessness, and mistakes.

And an additional wrinkle, as suspensions hit: Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Samet Akaydin are out, meaning Türkiye miss their presence and – in the case of Çalhanoğlu – his creativity, set-piece prowess and workrate. New routes into the final third must be found, through one of the more impressive defences we’ve seen in Germany so far.

But this match might be more about what Austria do, than what Türkiye provide – as it’ll more than likely be a bit of both worlds from them again: scintillating approach play, incredible atmosphere…slightly missing the mental poise to keep it up all game long while remaining tight at the back.

Austria have won possession 5.0 times per game in the final third, Türkiye 5.7 – but consider the nations they were against so far: France and Netherlands, plus the disappointing Poland. They’ve had it harder, against better players in that area of the pitch, than Türkiye have, but the pressing has been on point and the end product impressive, with seven big chances created, six goals scored, 5.7 shots on target per game and a whopping 20% conversion rate, the best at the tournament so far by a distance.

Individually too they have big performers: Philipp Lienhart in defence, Christoph Baumgartner creating, Marcel Sabitzer doing everything.

Rangnick’s side have been excellent so far, but now it’s time for them to make history. They’ve never been to a Euros quarter-final, and even at the World Cup not once since 1954. It’s fair to say the format, and football, has changed a lot since then – and Rangnick has completely changed this side’s fortunes.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Austria vs. Turkiye

There have been some wonderful tactical match-ups at Euro 2024 already, but this one might be one of the most intriguing even if the team names don’t immediately draw the eye.

By Karl Matchett

Indeed, the contrast between Austria and Turkey so far hints that this could be one of the ties of the round in the last 16.

First, Ralf Rangnick’s Austrian outfit have been extremely impressive on and off the ball, one of the most cohesive units with clarity of ideas and a manner of progressing the ball which suits both personnel and tactical set-up.

Then there’s Türkiye: all fire and fury, technically excellent but prone to overcommitting, to spells of failing concentration, to feeling they can score every time they attack – but looking vulnerable to mishaps, mindlessness, and mistakes.

And an additional wrinkle, as suspensions hit: Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Samet Akaydin are out, meaning Türkiye miss their presence and – in the case of Çalhanoğlu – his creativity, set-piece prowess and workrate. New routes into the final third must be found, through one of the more impressive defences we’ve seen in Germany so far.

But this match might be more about what Austria do, than what Türkiye provide – as it’ll more than likely be a bit of both worlds from them again: scintillating approach play, incredible atmosphere…slightly missing the mental poise to keep it up all game long while remaining tight at the back.

Austria have won possession 5.0 times per game in the final third, Türkiye 5.7 – but consider the nations they were against so far: France and Netherlands, plus the disappointing Poland. They’ve had it harder, against better players in that area of the pitch, than Türkiye have, but the pressing has been on point and the end product impressive, with seven big chances created, six goals scored, 5.7 shots on target per game and a whopping 20% conversion rate, the best at the tournament so far by a distance.

Individually too they have big performers: Philipp Lienhart in defence, Christoph Baumgartner creating, Marcel Sabitzer doing everything.

Rangnick’s side have been excellent so far, but now it’s time for them to make history. They’ve never been to a Euros quarter-final, and even at the World Cup not once since 1954. It’s fair to say the format, and football, has changed a lot since then – and Rangnick has completely changed this side’s fortunes.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.