The European Championship is in full swing: Austria vs Turkey 1/8 final preview
With the Euro 2024 group stage coming to an end, the round of 16 knockout rounds are about to be ignited. Of the many power-to-power conversations, the Austria-Turkey clash may not be the most remarkable, but the match undoubtedly contains a lot of suspense and drama. Both teams showed extraordinary strength in the group stage and will now face off in the quarter-finals. Let's dive into the match, which will kick off at 3 a.m. CST on July 3.
1. Recent situation of the two teams
Austria: Dark horse in the group stage
Austria were a dark horse in the group stage of this European Championship. In the case of being placed in the "Group of Death", they not only successfully qualified, but also advanced to the round of 16 as the group leader. With the likes of the Netherlands and France in the group, Austria is impressive.
In the three matches of the group stage, Austria has a record of 2 wins and 1 loss. They beat the Netherlands 2-1 and then beat North Macedonia 1-0 before losing 1-0 to France in the final round but still topped their group. This performance was a testament to the quality and resilience of the Austrian team.
However, the Austrian team also exposed some problems. Despite their good results, they have conceded in all three group games and defensive inconsistency could be a concern for them in the knockout stages.
Turkey: a dark horse to be reckoned with
Compared to Austria, Turkey's group stage journey has been full of ups and downs. They qualified as second in the group, showing tenacious fighting spirit and good strength.
Turkey won 1, drew 1 and lost 1 in the group stage, losing 3-0 to Italy, then drawing 1-1 with Wales and beating Switzerland 2-0 in the final round to advance to the round of 16. While this team may not be as strong as some of the traditional powerhouses, their imaginative and creative style of play can often cause problems for opponents.
However, there are also some problems with the Turkish team. The team as a whole is relatively young, and the lack of experience may affect performance at key moments. In addition, their defence is similarly inconsistent, which could be exploited by Austria.
2. Comparison of the strength of the two sides
FIFA Rankings & Worth
Looking at the FIFA rankings, Austria is currently ranked 25th in the world, while Turkey is ranked 42nd. This gap in the rankings reflects the fact that Austria's overall strength in international football is slightly higher than that of Turkey.
However, if you look at the total value of the team, the situation is different. The total value of the Austrian team is around 237 million euros, while the total value of the Turkish team reaches 324 million euros. This suggests that the Turkish team may have a slight advantage in terms of individual player strength.
Key players
The heart of the Austrian team is undoubtedly midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, who plays for Bayern Munich. The creative midfield commander was the engine of Austria's attack. In addition, the likes of Gregorridge, Sommer and Vermer are also the backbone of the team.
Turkey have star players such as Calhanoglu and Güller. However, it is unfortunate that Calhanoglu and another important player, Arkadine, will miss this game due to injury, which will undoubtedly have some impact on the quality of the Turkish team.
Tactical style
Austria, under the tutelage of German coach Rangnick, adopted a high-pressing tactical style. This style of play requires players to be physically fit and quick to counter-attack after losing possession. Once Austria take the lead, their style of play will make it even more difficult for their opponents to parry.
The Turkish team is known for its technical and imaginative style of play. They excel at creating chances with their individual abilities and have done wonders in tournaments many times in their history. While the overall strength may not be as good as some of the top teams, the Turkish team is definitely capable of causing surprises in any competition.
3. Historical confrontation
The history of rivalry between Austria and Turkey dates back to the last century. In the last 5 meetings, Austria has won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2, and the two sides can be said to be evenly matched. However, the most recent meeting took place in a friendly in April this year, when Austria beat Turkey 6-1. This match will undoubtedly impress both teams, especially Turkey.
Although the result of the friendly match is not fully representative of the direction of the official match, such a disparity in the score may put some pressure on the Turkish team psychologically. On the contrary, the Austrian team may gain extra confidence from it. However, as is often said in the football world, "the game is played on the pitch", and past results do not determine future wins and losses.
4. Key points of the game
Defensive stability
Both teams exposed defensive inconsistencies in the group stage. Whoever can stabilize the defence in this game will likely have the upper hand. Austria will need to pay special attention to the Turkish team's ability to capitalize on opponents' mistakes, while Turkey will need to be wary of Austria's quick counter-attacks.
Midfield control
The battle for midfield will be key in this game. If Austria's Sabitzer can dominate in midfield and create chances for his team-mates, then Austria will have the advantage. Turkey, on the other hand, will need to find a new playmaker in Calhanoglu's absence.
Take advantage of the opportunity
At this level, opportunities are often scarce and precious. Both teams will need to improve their conversion rate, especially when facing defensive errors. Whoever is better at scoring opportunities is more likely to win the game.
Psychological factors
The pressure of the knockout stage is much greater than that of the group stage, and the mental quality of the players of both teams will be tested. Austria are likely to be saddled with more expectations as they finish top of the group; Turkey, on the other hand, may feel the pressure from the memory of their last heavy defeat. How to adjust your mentality and stay calm at critical moments will be an important factor in determining victory or defeat.
Substitute line-up
In the 90-minute game, the role of substitutes is often underestimated. How the coaches of both teams use substitutions to adjust their tactics can have a significant impact on the outcome of the game. Especially in high-intensity games with a huge physical exertion, the performance of substitutes can be the difference between victory and defeat.
5. Possible race directions
Based on the quality and recent performances of both teams, this game is likely to be a close one. Here are a few possible directions:
Temptation of each other in the opening game: Considering the importance of the game, the two teams may adopt a relatively conservative strategy in the opening stages, testing each other's strength and tactical set-up.
Midfield battle: As the game progresses, the battle for control of the midfield will intensify. Austria may use their high-pressure tactics to try to disrupt the Turkish team's rhythm.
Intensified offensive in the second half: If the score is deadlocked, both teams may intensify their attack in the second half. This could lead to a quicker pace of play and more goalscoring opportunities.
Decisive moment in time: Considering the close quality of the two teams, it is likely that the match will be decided in the final minute or in extra time. The success of individual abilities and tactical adjustments can be the decisive factor.
Penalty shoot-out: If there is no winner in 90 minutes and extra time, the game will go to a penalty shootout. In this case, the play of the goalkeeper and the psychological quality of the player will be the key.
6. Conclusion
The 1/8 final between Austria and Turkey, although it may not be the most eye-catching matchup of this European Cup, is definitely a game full of suspense and highlights. Both teams showed more than expected quality in the group stage and will now face it out in the knockout stages.
Austria seems to have an advantage thanks to their excellent group stage performances and higher world rankings. Their high-pressure tactics and the tacit cooperation of the Bundesliga players could cause a lot of trouble for the Turkish team. However, we can't underestimate Turkey's ability to pull off miracles in the tournament. Despite the absence of two of their main players, the Turkish team still have enough quality to challenge Austria.
Ultimately, the outcome of this game may depend on which team is better able to take advantage of their chances, stay calm in key moments, and make the right tactical adjustments. Regardless of the outcome, we have reason to expect that it will be a good football feast.
For neutral fans, this match is undoubtedly a great opportunity to enjoy two teams with very different styles coming into play. For fans in Austria and Turkey, this match can mean a continuation of the dream or a regretful departure. Regardless of who dies in the end, we all want to see a good game, a battle that shows the charm of football.
Let's look forward to this fierce battle in the early hours of July 3 to see if Austria's German efficiency or Turkey's romantic football can have the last laugh and contribute a classic battle to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.