2023-06-17 20:45:00
The Belgians were much closer to victory, especially following the break. In the table, Austria remains (with one game more) three points ahead of Belgium and four ahead of Tuesday’s opponent Sweden.
The King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels is showing its age. Similar to the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, you can’t even remember how long it has been regarding renovation or renewal. And even with almost 50,000 spectators in the sold-out stadium with running track, the atmosphere wasn’t nearly as electrifying as, for example, in the games in neighboring Netherlands. That also played into the cards of the ÖFB selection, at least at the beginning.
Team boss Ralf Rangnick had given the team the motto “Everyone has to believe 100 percent in victory in order to have a chance of it”. The team implemented the instruction from the first minute. And that didn’t just apply to the offensive 4-4-2 formation, in which Marko Arnautovic stormed together with Michael Gregoritsch – with Freiburg Legionnaire Gregoritsch repeatedly falling back extremely far in order to not allow any gaps in the center. It should be a key in the early stages, when the Belgians only posed a threat – if at all – on the wings.
And that despite the fact that Konrad Laimer, Austria’s best player in the middle, was injured in the stands. With combined forces it worked anyway. Xaver Schlager was back in the starting XI for the first time in months following a long injury break and secured the center together with his future team-mate at RB Leipzig, Nicolas Seiwald.
On the defensive, David Alaba formed the central defense together with Philipp Lienhart in his “Hundred”, while Stefan Posch (right) and Maximilian Wöber (left) provided powerful support on the outside. Austria’s team tried to press from the first minute – and they did so successfully because the hosts didn’t even start an initial offensive.
Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager had practically nothing to do in the first half hour. Neither did his counterpart, Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois – and yet the ÖFB selection led 1-0 following 22 minutes. After a corner by Patrick Wimmer, the ball came to Michael Gregoritsch. His mix of shot and assist was deflected so unluckily by Belgium’s Orel Mangala that Courtois had no chance to defend.
It wasn’t until the 41st minute that the Belgians became a real threat, but Dodi Lukebakio’s shot went just wide of the target. Schlager would not have gotten the ball anymore. At this point, however, the Belgians had already taken command – without becoming extremely imperative for the time being.
ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick reacted at the break. Philipp Mwene replaced Maximilian Wöber, who was in danger from being sent off and who hadn’t looked good in one situation or another. That didn’t change anything regarding the course of the game. The Belgians pushed harder by the minute – and finally succeeded. In the first attempt, a long-range shot by top star Romelu Lukaku just missed (59th). The Inter Milan player was able to pull away once more three minutes later – this time Alex Schlager had no chance with a shot from 17 meters (62′).
Rangnick had brought Florian Kainz (for Patrick Wimmer) and Marcel Sabitzer (for Marko Arnautovic) before that. At least the 1-1 was something of a wake-up call for the home offensive. The Belgians continued to put pressure on. The ÖFB selection also had a great chance of making it 2-1. First Marko Arnautovic was called off for offside alone in front of Courtois (58th). With the save of the evening, Courtois was able to prevent Stefan Posch’s seemingly certain 2-1 (68th). Xaver Schlager was unable to capitalize on the rebound.
The finish also belonged to the Belgians – who failed through Carrasco (75th) and Lukaku (80th). On the other hand, Michael Gregoritsch lost in a one-on-one counterattack to Belgium’s Leander Dendoncker. However, a win would have been too much of a good thing. Especially since Romelu Lukaku almost shocked the ÖFB selection in the 90th minute – and because Youri Tielemans only hit the crossbar with the last shot of the game…
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