Austria-Azerbaijan is a match from the first day of Euro 2024 qualifying Group F and is played on Friday at 20:45: TV, predictions.
Former Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick’s adventure at the helm of the Austrian national team began last June with an emphatic 3-0 win over Croatia in the opening match of the last Nations League. But that resounding success stood alone: in the remaining five matches Austria barely managed a draw against France, sadly relegating to League B.
Rangnick then made up for it, but only partially, by beating Italy 2-0 in the friendly in Vienna in November, coinciding with the start of the World Cup, where neither the red and white nor the Azzurri were present. His task now is to lead Austria to the European Championship in Germany, perhaps bettering the score of his predecessor Franco Foda, who came close to reaching the quarter-finals at Euro 2020 by losing in extra time against Roberto Mancini’s Italy, who went on to become champions of the continental event. A goal that is far from unattainable, given that in group F only Belgium appears to be out of reach. In all likelihood, Arnautovic and his teammates will be competing for second place with Sweden, a selection that has just come back from a bad Nations League, in which it even finished in League C. Azerbaijan and Estonia, on the other hand, pose no credible threat.
Rangnick wants to “freshen up” Austria
In order to get off on the right foot, Rangnick and his team cannot fail to meet the Azeris, led by Italian Gianni De Biasi.
De Biasi
The Caucasians were one of the most pleasant surprises of the last Nations League, coming close to promotion to League B: in Group 3, only Kazakhstan did better, scoring three points more than Azerbaijan. The team coached by the former Torino and Udinese coach comes from five consecutive victories, between Nations League and friendlies, and the steps forward compared to the past are undeniable. Victory in a qualifying match, however, has been missing for more than six years. De Biasi is relying on Qarabag’s well-established squad, while Rangnick intends to put more faith in the youngsters, while continuing to focus on veterans such as Arnautovic and Alaba. Experienced central defender Dragovic will be absent instead.
The prediction
Austria cannot miss this match if they want to aim for qualification. Azerbaijan have looked on the up in recent outings but are not an insurmountable obstacle for Rangnick’s selection, who should win by at least two goals.
Austria v Azerbaijan (Austria v Azerbaijan) matchday squad
- AUSTRIA (3-4-2-1): Lindner; Lienhart, Alaba, Wober; Mwene, Laimer, Seiwald, Adamu; Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Arnautovic.
- AZERBAIGIAN (4-2-3-1): Balayev; Haghverdi, Mustafazade, Hasanalizade, Cafarguliyev; Almeida, Mahmudov; Sheydayev, Isayev, Kokcu; Gurbanli.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
