Austria vs Turkey: Vincenzo Montella bids to stop relentless Ralf Rangnick machine at Euro 2024 | OneFootball

Dark horses meet in Leipzig

Turkey are finally back in the knockout stages of a major tournament, after a 16-year hiatus since making the Euro 2008 semi-finals.

Group-stage wins over Georgia and Czechia set up Tuesday’s last-16 tie against Austria, who won Group D ahead of the more fancied France and Holland at Euro 2024.

An already tough challenge against Ralf Rangnick’s men has been compounded by further complications, with Turkish captain Hakan Calhanoglu and centre-back Samet Akaydin both suspended.

Success in attack pivots on the performances of Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and Juventus’s Kenan Yildiz, though both are 19 and it would, in Cayir’s view, “not be right to put pressure on them.”

He adds: “There are tactical weaknesses, but if they reach the quarter-finals, their fans can help them surprise any opponent.”

First, though, a second-round meeting with a side who, according to Austrian football expert Tom Middler, were “one of the best teams in the group stage.”

Middler explains: “Austria aren’t used to being favourites, but there is a bit of confidence that they will win. Rewind to March and they actually beat Turkey 6-1 in a friendly.”

Ralf Rangnick has impressed as Austria manager

REUTERS

Attacker Marcel Sabitzer has been predictably hard to pin down, and ex-Manchester United interim manager Rangnick has mitigated the loss of Real Madrid’s David Alaba to injury well.

The brutal, unrelenting nature of Austria’s pressing, coupled with Calhanoglu’s absence, might put Turkey on the backfoot.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” Middler begins, “but if they beat Turkey, I don't really see a reason why Austria can’t reach the final.”