Ralf Rangnick has officially named his 26-player Austria squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. The announcement confirms Austria’s team composition as they prepare for the prestigious European Championship hosted in Germany this summer. However, the finalization of the squad also meant tough decisions, with some notable players missing out on the final cut.
Key players Stefan Lainer from Borussia Monchengladbach, Tobias Lawal of LASK, and Thierno Ballo from Wolfsberger AC were the unfortunate trio dropped from the provisional squad. Rangnick personally addressed each player to explain his reasoning behind their exclusion. “It’s a decision that wasn’t easy for me,” Rangnick stated. “It was important to me to explain my motives to all three players in individual discussions. I did that today after the final training session.” These omissions, while difficult, are part of the strategic choices Rangnick has made to optimize the team’s balance and tactical flexibility for the challenges ahead in Euro 2024.
Adding to the selection concerns, goalkeeper Alexander Schlager from Red Bull Salzburg has been ruled out due to a knee injury sustained in May. Despite discussions and hopes for recovery, Schlager’s knee has not responded well to rehabilitation, making him unavailable for the tournament. “We discussed it together, it would simply come too soon,” Rangnick explained, highlighting the collaborative decision-making process. “His knee reacted during a weight-relieving running session. It was clear that there was no point in hoping that he would be fit to play in the next two weeks.” Schlager’s absence is a significant setback for Austria, requiring a reshuffle in the goalkeeping department.
Rangnick, formerly interim manager at Manchester United, is at the helm of Austria’s Euro 2024 campaign after declining an opportunity to manage Bayern Munich. Under his guidance, Austria secured their Euro 2024 qualification by finishing second in Group F, behind Belgium but ahead of Sweden. Their impressive qualifying run, winning six out of eight matches, automatically extended Rangnick’s contract with the Austrian FA (OFB) through to the 2026 World Cup, demonstrating confidence in his leadership and vision for the national team.
Austria finds itself in a challenging Group D for Euro 2024, set to compete against formidable opponents: France, Poland, and the Netherlands. The group stage matches promise high-stakes encounters as Austria aims to progress in the tournament. Rangnick’s squad selection reflects his strategy to navigate this tough group and make a mark in Euro 2024.
Austria Euro 2024 Squad in Full:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Pentz (Brondby), Heinz Lindner (Union Saint-Gilloise), Niklas Hedl (Rapid Wien).
Defenders: Stefan Posch (Bologna), Max Wober (Borussia Monchengladbach), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Kevin Danso (Lens), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), Flavius Daniliuc (Red Bull Salzburg), Gernot Trauner (Feyenoord), Leopold Querfeld (Rapid Wien).
Midfielders: Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Grillitsch (Hoffenheim), Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Florian Kainz (Cologne), Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Alexander Prass (Sturm Graz), Matthias Seidl (Rapid Vienna).
Forwards: Marko Arnautovic (Inter Milan), Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg), Andreas Weimann (West Brom), Patrick Wimmer (Wolfsburg), Marco Grull (Rapid Wien), Maximilian Entrup (TSV Hartberg).
