Euro 2024 Group D preview: Austria eyeing Dutch result to advance

Ralf Rangnick admitted there was doubt among the players when he was hired as Austria's manager in 2022, but the 65-year-old German has led his team to the cusp of the Euro 2024 knockout rounds.

Austria, who face the Netherlands in their final Group D game, lost to France 1-0 but were impressive in a 3-1 win over Poland, only the second time they have scored three goals in a single European Championship finals game.

Their aggressive, front-foot style has also earned admirers.

"(Marko Arnautovic) and I recently talked about it ourselves," Rangnick said of Austria's all-time leading scorer with 36 goals who was sitting alongside at a news conference on Monday.

"When Marko heard that I'd become boss here, he thought 'ooh, this might be a bit tight now', but I didn't see it like that. I didn't quite understand why it was seen like that.

"He (Arnautovic) played from the start against Poland and possibly tomorrow as well in such an important game."

The Dutch lead the group on four points, ahead of France on goals scored, with Austria third.

Defender Gernot Trauner will not be available due to injury.

"He didn't train today, he's definitely out for tomorrow," Rangnick said. "And even in the next game, he won't be able to play probably. I'm really sorry for him, because has been in top form so far, both in training and in the games."

Rangnick expects a stiff challenge from the Dutch, but he knows what to expect.

"It feels like the Netherlands have played the same way since (legendary Dutch player) Johan Cruyff's days," Rangnick said. "A lot of width and a lot of height on the pitch. Who wins the second ball will be crucial."

Rangnick said he grew up idolising Cruyff, a three-times Ballon d'Or winner and big proponent of the Total Football