Euro 2024 Showdown: Netherlands vs Austria – A Battle for Group D Supremacy
The anticipation is building as the Euro 2024 group stage reaches a pivotal juncture. On Tuesday, 25th June, the Netherlands and Austria face off in a high-stakes encounter that will determine their fate in Group D. With kick-off set for 17:00 BST, viewers can catch the action live on BBC Two or follow live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, and you won’t want to miss it!
Austria’s Tightrope Walk
So far, Austria's Euro 2024 journey has been a mixed bag. After securing one win and suffering one defeat, they find themselves at a crucial crossroads. A win against the Netherlands will secure them a spot in the top two of Group D, granting them a ticket to the knockout stages. Anything less, however, and they will most likely have to settle for third place, leaving their fate in the hands of results from other groups.
Austria’s head coach, Ralf Rangnick, has made it clear that third place is not an option he is comfortable with. "I would take second place; third place is too complicated,” he admitted. His target is crystal clear: get the job done against the Dutch and avoid the complications of finishing third.
Austria's captain, Marko Arnautovic, shares his coach's resolve. The Inter Milan striker, who has been a standout performer for his national side, enthused, "This one has been amazing, lots of fun. The optimal scenario would be to win [against the Netherlands], but the most important thing is Tuesday's game."
Dutch Masters Looking for Refinement
On the other side, the Netherlands have already secured their place in the last 16 thanks to Spain's victory over Albania. However, Dutch manager Ronald Koeman is not resting on his laurels. The goalless draw against France was less than impressive, and Koeman is demanding a sharper performance from his squad.
“We lost possession when we shouldn’t have, and our pressing wasn’t great. There was too much space between the lines,” Koeman stated candidly. The former Barcelona boss is likely to make some adjustments, with striker Wout Weghorst poised to potentially start after scoring the winner against Poland.
Netherlands & Austria Team News
Austria will be missing the services of defender Gernot Trauner due to injury, a significant blow given his top form. Rangnick lamented, "He didn't train [on Monday], he's definitely out. And even in the next game, he probably won't be able to play."
For the Netherlands, Koeman’s possible reshuffle might see Weghorst being handed his first start of the tournament. The towering Burnley forward has shown his knack for crucial goals and could be pivotal in unlocking Austria’s defence.
Head-to-Head and Stats
History doesn’t favour Austria in this encounter. The Netherlands have triumphed in both of their past major tournament meetings: a 5-1 win during the 1978 World Cup and a 2-0 victory at Euro 2020. Additionally, Austria have lost their last seven matches against the Dutch, with their last win dating back to a friendly in May 1990.
However, Austria have shown grit in recent tournaments, reaching the last 16 at Euro 2020 and hoping to go further this time around. For the Netherlands, consistency in group stages is almost a given; they haven't lost a group stage match in a major tournament since the 2014 World Cup, winning nine and drawing two of their 11 games.
Tactical Battles and Key Players
Both teams possess players capable of turning the game on its head. For the Netherlands, Virgil van Dijk remains rock-solid in defence, having made eight clearances against France. Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders impressed with his line-breaking passes and high pass completion rate under pressure.
Austria will look to Nicolas Seiwald to continue his energetic displays. The defensive midfielder has recovered possession 11 times and made 10 tackles in just two games, all without conceding a single foul.
The Final Word
As the clock ticks down to the 17:00 BST kick-off, all eyes will be on the pitch. Will Austria upset the odds and secure their place in the knockout stages? Or will the Netherlands showcase their dominance and fine-tune their form ahead of the last 16? One thing is for sure: this clash promises to be a fascinating watch.
Tune in, hold your breath, and enjoy what could be one of the matches of the tournament.
