2023-11-21 22:52:00
“Oh how beautiful it is! Oh how beautiful it is! You haven’t seen something like this in a long time – so beautiful, so beautiful!” The chorus of 46,000 spectators in Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium was even louder following 75 minutes than during the Austrian national anthem an hour and a half earlier.
When does it happen that an Austrian national soccer team tears apart its big brother Germany like it did yesterday 2-0 (1-0). It was Christoph Baumgartner’s ice-cold lob to make it 2-0 following 73 minutes that broke all barriers in the highly emotional game. And that wasn’t just due to the result itself – but above all to the way in which ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick’s team dismantled their big neighbor into all its individual parts.
A lot was expected for this international match in 2023: Definitely a game on equal terms, and a positive surprise in the form of a “point gain” or even a victory for Austria also seemed possible.
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“No! No! Nagelsmann!” The rustling in the German forest of leaves
But then from the first minute there were real fireworks on all levels. It started with the early start of Xaver Schlager and Co., which the Germans didn’t like at all. Austria’s perfect performance continued in the duel – in which the poisonous ÖFB selection was increasingly determined from the start and therefore one step faster than the Germans.
Above all, the Rangnick team, which lined up in 4-2-3-1 and without the spared Marko Arnautovic, was really organized in contrast to their opponents.
Will DFB team boss Julian Nagelsmann really stick with his three-man defensive chain until the European Championships? After yesterday’s performance that can be doubted. There wasn’t much more to see in Vienna’s Prater than pointless ball possession football in safe zones. And that was still in the phase when the Germans might at least believe in a draw.
The ÖFB selection was much more specific – they broke the German defensive barrier time and time once more relatively easily with a long pass.
Marcel Sabitzer’s 1-0 win in the 29th minute was more than deserved. A long pass from Christoph Baumgartner was enough to overcome the German defense. And Sabitzer’s shot into the near corner, with which he surprised DFB keeper Kevin Trapp, was also worth seeing. Austria should have been leading by this point. Michael Gregoritsch missed the best chance (17th).
The nerves are on edge
How frayed the Germans’ nerves were became apparent immediately following the break (49th), when Leroy Sane’s emotions erupted in an attack on Philipp Mwene. At first he was only able to stop the ÖFB full-back with a foul. As a result, there was a scuffle in which Sane hit his opponent in the face. Mwene went down – and Sane was rightly sent off with a red card. With that the game was decided. The DFB selection, already without a chance in the eleven once morest eleven duel, was unable to take any action forward.
Significant: Julian Nagelsmann told his goalkeeper Kevin Trapp to fake an injury in order to buy time so that the DFB selection might sort itself out better following the exclusion. He knew why: There was nothing left for his team to gain from this game. It was only partially successful. Christoph Baumgartner’s 2-0 was the crowning achievement of a perfect Austrian evening. Standing ovation included.
Author
Harald Bartl
Deputy Head of Sports Department
Harald Bartl
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#Austria #Germany
