Austria’s national football team is gearing up to face Turkiye in the round of 16 match of the UEFA Euro 2024 Football Championship. The team is led by German coach Ralf Rangnick and is looking to make history by progressing to the quarterfinals. The Austrians surprised everyone by finishing at the top of their group, ahead of powerhouses like France and the Netherlands.
On the other hand, Turkiye has shown moments of individual brilliance but has failed to fully click at Euro 2024 so far. The team, coached by Italian Vincenzo Montella, will be looking to make a deep run in the tournament, similar to their semifinal appearance in Euro 2008. Kickoff for the highly anticipated match is set for 9 pm local time (1900 GMT) on Tuesday.
Austria and Turkiye have faced each other in the past, with Austria coming out on top in a friendly match earlier this year with a resounding 6-1 victory. However, Turkiye has a historical edge over Austria, having defeated them in a playoff to reach the 2002 World Cup, where they finished third. Both teams have had a decent run leading up to Euro 2024, with Austria losing only one of their qualifying games and Turkiye winning six out of their 10 games last year.
The match will feature some interesting matchups, including teammates facing off against each other. Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer and Turkiye’s Salih Ozcan are both teammates at Borussia Dortmund, adding an extra layer of competition to the game. If Austria emerges victorious, they could potentially face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, setting up a quick rematch of their group stage encounter.
In terms of team news, both Austria and Turkiye are expected to provide updates on injuries and player availability ahead of the match. Real Madrid star Arda Guler is a key player to watch for Turkiye, while Austria will be relying on their experienced players like Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer to lead them to victory. With a better head-to-head record, Austria will be looking to continue their strong performance at Euro 2024 and make a statement in the tournament.
As the two teams prepare to face each other in the knockout stage, the coaches and players are focused on giving their best performance on the field. Turkiye defender Zeki Celik acknowledges the challenges presented by Austria and emphasizes the importance of responding to their pressure. On the other hand, Austria coach Ralf Rangnick highlights the importance of bringing energy and focus to the game in order to secure a win. Both teams are aware of the significance of the match and are prepared to give it their all to advance further in the tournament.