The meeting between the Netherlands and Austria, as part of the 3rd day of Group D, involves several issues including the need to avoid half of the table of favorites in the second round.
What do Spain, Germany and Portugal have in common? These are the teams who qualified after two matches and who left a very good impression on us, but they are also the ones who all appear in the densest half of the table in the round of 16. Only the 1st of Group D (Pas-Bas, Austria or France) is guaranteed to bypass the bend which leads to this obstacle course. This shows the importance of the meeting between the Oranje and Das Team today at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. If Austria must still seek a point to ensure qualification, Koeman’s team (already qualified) cannot afford to rotate the squad because the stakes are crucial.
Holland, the bane of the Austrians
Since May 1, 1985 and a World Cup qualifying match, the Netherlands have played 6 matches against Austria for as many victories (3 friendly matches and 3 official matches). An impressive series that Virgil Van Dijk’s partners will have to stretch today in order to finish first in this Group. The task does not look easy against an opponent who has good offensive arguments well illustrated during the opposition against Poland. This is not the case for Holland, its two attackers Depay and Gakpo were borrowed against the Blues but it is all the attacking animation which was singled out. Our attackers all experienced difficult times and sometimes did not have the patience to make the right decisions. But ultimately I think it’s a fair outcome and one we can live with.” admitted Ronald Koeman, a result which allows them to be leader of the group until then.
Trauner to the infirmary
Ralf Rangnick would have other concerns to resolve. Seven of these players are about to be suspended in the event of a yellow card (Arnautović, Baumgartner, Danso, Laimer, Mwene, Wimmer, Wöber). To hope to grab the point necessary for qualification, or even better, the Austrian coach will also have to do without Gernot Trauner. The central defender, a surprise scorer against Poland, has not yet recovered from his injury which forced him to play only an hour in the last match. Far from being fatalistic, Rangnick knows that his squad has the means to cause problems in the Netherlands.Apart from Trauner, we have everyone on board. Our opponents play in their Dutch way, like to have possession, like to find solutions with the ball, to be creative, flexible. But on the other hand, if we can play a step higher, win balls in their half, win most of the second balls, that will be important in our performance. We have to do this again at a very high level because individually, they are almost at the same level as France.” did he declare. Austria will have the advantage of playing a second time in a row at the same stadium (in Berlin).
Probable team lineups:
The probable composition of the Netherlands: Verbruggen (G) – Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké – Schouten, Simons, Reijnders, Frimpong – Depay, Gakpo
The probable composition of Austria: Pentz – Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Mwene – Seiwald, Laimer; Wimmer, Baumgartner, Sabitzer – Gregoritsch
On which channel to follow the match?
This Netherlands – Austria will be broadcast only by beIN Sports 2. The Qatari channel also broadcasts all of the Euro 2024 matches.
How to follow Netherlands – Austria in streaming?
If you want to watch the Euro 2024 group match between Netherlands and Austria on your computer, smartphone or tablet, you must subscribe to Bein Sports CONNECT which will allow you to access Bein Sports 2
A Slovak on the whistle
Ivan Kruzliak will be the referee for this match which will start at 6 p.m.