Arnautovic: Inter striker has panic attack in Austria 1-1 Serbia: ‘I don’t know why’ | OneFootball

Inter striker Marko Arnautovic admitted that he had a panic attack during the 1-1 draw between Austria and Serbia in the Nations League on Thursday evening, but was able to recover and play the full 90 minutes.

The League A qualification play-off match between Austria and Serbia ended in a 1-1 draw: Michael Gregoritsch opened the scoring for the hosts, before an equaliser from Atalanta’s Lazar Samardzic just after the hour mark.

Arnautovic told the press immediately after the game that he had experienced a panic attack on the pitch midway through proceedings.

The Nerazzurri forward said that he had felt pain in his knee, which made him feel ‘suddenly afraid’, and led to feelings of nausea, dizziness and a pain in the upper part of his stomach, although he ‘doesn’t know’ why the incident came about.

Arnautovic discusses panic attack in Austria 1-1 Serbia

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – JUNE 04: Marko Arnautovic of Austria reacts during the international friendly match between Austria and Serbia at Ernst Happel Stadion on June 04, 2024 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

“I felt a strong bit of pressure in the upper part of my stomach, at the same time I had a panic attack and I don’t know why. The doctor game me a quick look over, gave me a remedy and then everything was back in place and I was able to continue,” Arnautovic told BILD, reported via Sky Sport Italia.

He continued: “Suddenly I had nausea and dizziness, maybe it was because of the pain in my knee, a very strong pain in the front of the kneecap. But then everything went well again and I continued to play.”

He later told reporters in the mixed zone: “I suddenly felt afraid, I felt sick and dazed, maybe because of the really strong pain I felt in my knee before.”