Euro 2020: Centred around David Alaba, Austria aim to improve dismal record in tournament

Vienna: In six matches at past European Championships, Austria have zero wins, two draws, and only one goal scored from regular play. The country’s record at the continental tournament certainly could do with some polishing when they play North Macedonia, the Netherlands and Ukraine in Group C at Euro 2020. Austria first played at the tournament when it co-hosted the 2008 edition with Switzerland. The team lost to both Croatia and Germany 1-0 while earning a 1-1 draw with Poland with a stoppage-time penalty from Ivica Vastić. Eight years later, Austria entered the top 10 in the FIFA rankings following a qualifying campaign with nine wins from 10 games. Coach Marcel Koller had implemented a fast-paced playing style, which included pressing in the opponent’s half and backs who also served as wingers. The team arrived with high hopes at Euro 2016 in France, but the outcome was similarly disappointing with losses to Hungary (2-0) and Iceland (2-1), and a 0-0 draw against eventual champion Portugal. On a positive note, midfielder Alessandro Schöpf scored from open play in the loss to Iceland. Koller’s six-year tenure ended in late 2017 when the Swiss coach was replaced by Franco Foda after Austria failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia. Defender Christian Fuchs and striker Marc Janko are the only two notable players from the 2016 squad to have retired. Still, Austria have become a different team in recent years under Foda. Contrary to Koller, the German coach prefers a less adventurous playing style. His defence-first approach has led to less attractive games — but to improved results, as well. Austria finished runner-up to Poland in Euro 2020 qualifying in a group that also included upcoming opponent North Macedonia. And Austria beat Norway and Romania on the way to winning their Nations League group last year while developing a habit of scoring late: Four of their nine goals in the competition came in the last 10 minutes of games. It’s hard to judge where Austria stands ahead of Euro 2020 following the team’s shaky start to its World Cup qualifying campaign in March, which included a draw against Scotland and a 4-0 home loss against Denmark. The team is still centred around David Alaba, though the Bayern Munich defender doesn’t always carry his club form to the national team, where he is mainly used as an attacking midfielder. Austria’s strongest weapon is arguably their front line with two strikers of Serbian descent. With 26 goals, winger Marko Arnautović is the team’s top scorer since Janko’s retirement. He has been joined lately in Austria’s attack by Saša Kalajdžić, who netted three times in his first five matches for the national team.