Austria to Dublin: Rangnick's new game idea works
In Dublin the Austrian national team collected six points after two Nations League matches and presented, with numerous new signings, the football that Ralf Rangnick wants to see from his squad. The 3-1 result against Israel and the clear answer against Kosovo underline the new intensity.
The head coach switched to six positions, while Christian Zawieschitzky and Nikolas Veratschnig celebrated their debuts. David Affengruber started a national team match from the beginning for the first time. Despite these personnel changes, Austria for long periods did not look like a team that still has to find its form.
Tactical Reorientation
On paper Austria remains a 4-2-3-1, but in practice it often appeared as a 4-1-4-1 or even a 4-3-3. Nicolas Seiwald stayed as the lone defensive midfielder in front of the back line, while Xaver Schlager and Paul Wanner operated as the deeper midfield pair. This adjustment responded specifically to Kosovo's 5-2-3. The team reacted deliberately to the new formation.
Through the two deeper midfielders the team could press the opponent's first build‑up line more aggressively and penetrate the spaces beside the central midfielders, while Seiwald maintained the balance. The Austrian pressing therefore felt much more incisive than against Israel. As soon as the press was bypassed, spaces opened up that the visitors rarely exploited.
Rangnick already preaches intensity as Austria lights up the Nations League
Individual Players in Focus
Xaver Schlager stood out particularly positively; after a disappointing World Cup he already showed an improvement against Israel and repeated it against Kosovo. Rangnick praised him with the words “Xaver, the one we need”. Schlager sought duels, attacked second balls and, thanks to the covering of Seiwald, used the opportunity to surge forward.
Patrick Wimmer was the most noticeable offensive player of Austria. On the Austrian Soccer Board his performance was highlighted several times, one user summed it up with “Wimmer on Fire” and others called him Man of the Match. He used the ball to look for depth, while it was also emphasized that he must consistently deliver his quality over a longer period at club level in the future.
Paul Wanner, as a new national player, brought the technical quality between the lines that Austria has often lacked lately. He moved skillfully out of tight spaces, combined quickly and continued attacks even when there was no immediate transition situation. In the ASB he was already described as a possible future cornerstone, with Christoph Baumgartner as another option who could broaden the offensive variations.
Debut team scorer David Affengruber leads Austria to joy with a header
Rangnick was especially pleased with the transition play and emphasized that at the start of training they must “clash” again; against Kosovo it now “clashed for almost 90 minutes”. The reaction of the Austrian Soccer Board was also positive and highlighted the increased intensity. This rustic phrasing reflected the overall picture that the team for long periods displayed the intensity he wanted. Thus the match in Dublin constitutes an important milestone for further positioning.