Manager Franco Foda is moving to his first major international competition and Austria's third consecutive appearance at the Euros. The East Alpine country is blessed with a resounding squad than before and will wish for better luck this time out.
Austria UEFA Euro 2020 Squad :
Goalkeepers: Daniel Bachmann (Watford), Pavao Pervan (Wolfsburg), Alexander Schlager (LASK)
Defenders: David Alaba (Bayern), Aleksandar Dragović (Leverkusen), Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen), Martin Hinteregger (Frankfurt), Stefan Lainer (Mönchengladbach), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Stefan Posch (Hoffenheim), Christopher Trimmel (Union Berlin), Andreas Ulmer (Salzburg)
Midfielders: Julian Baumgartlinger (Leverkusen), Christoph Baumgartner (Hoffenheim), Florian Grillitsch (Hoffenheim), Stefan Ilsanker (Frankfurt), Konrad Laimer (Leipzig), Valentino Lazaro (Internazionale), Marcel Sabitzer (Leipzig), Louis Schaub (Luzern), Xaver Schlager (Wolfsburg), Alessandro Schöpf (Schalke)
Forwards: Marko Arnautović (Shanghai Port), Michael Gregoritsch (Augsburg), Sasa Kalajdzic (Stuttgart), Karim Onisiwo (Mainz)
Key Player: David Alaba
Austria's legend David Alaba has gone from strength to strength in his days at Bayern Munich and is now joining Real Madrid this summer after a trophy-laden career over there. In recent years, he has turned into one of the best footballers in different positions. His versatility in playing at natural midfield to left-back and even center back has aided Bayern to cope up with injuries to key players. Alaba's multitasking role is a great boon to Austria. Although he will be deployed mainly as a central midfielder for his nation, manager Foda won't feel shy to test him in other outlets of his game. David will inspire his side to another but with a better outcome this time out. His class speaks for itself and he is determined to share his diligence with this interesting squad, far more developed than the previous one. Austria can dream about getting deep in the competition with him a more accomplished player and a leader. On a personal level, Alaba will be desperate to make the Euro a grandstand to convince fans of his new club and remind them of his qualities.
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Strength & Weakness :
This time around Austria have a squad that at least won't fizzle out like in the last edition of the European Championship. They finished last in 2016 with just one point on board. Some of the players from the previous contest are still there but more developed over the years with the necessary experience. This will make the group stronger and venture forward. Austria won't have to sit back all the time with some quality midfielders in the locker to produce something. Apart from Louis Schaub of Luzern, all of them played in the German Bundesliga in prominent roles for their club. The ever creative Marcel Sabitzer is not a wunderkind but a grown man is also there to cause trouble or two. The same goes for the backline. Attack also has growing sensation Sasa Kalajdzic banging goals for fun for Stuttgart. So along with Alaba, the team is stuffed with experience of playing in big leagues.
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It doesn't mean having an experienced side is immune to failings. As good as their attacking talent is getting into the final third, their composure is missing. Taking their recent friendlies and Nations league into account against top opposition at least they haven't managed to find the back of the net compared to the number of shots on the target. Their defensive solidity is often exposed too by greater footballing nations. Dependency on Alaba is still there and over-reliance on Sabitzer or Sasa to be the man of the moment.
That being said, their individuals are good enough to grind out results even in tough periods. To do good at Euros a team should be a unit rather than relying on a star or stars but it is all about clinching results rather than emphatic displays. Franco Foda's satisfaction lies in the fact he has a better squad to implement his tactics well with. He may try to move away from his conservative style of play to aid attacking football with the right talent in their hands. They can dream of better things to come their way this time around.
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