Euro 2024: How Ralf Rangnick restored reputation with Austria

The result against the Dutch was arguably the reward for Rangnick being afforded the time to shape this Austria side in his vision.

Results were mixed after he was appointed manager of the national team in April 2022, but over time they have produced some impressive displays, notably beating Italy and securing draws with Belgium and France prior to this tournament.

Austria won three of their four games before heading to Germany and, after an own goal condemned them to a loss to France in their Group D opener, they responded with wins against Poland and now the Netherlands – one of the pre-tournament favourites.

On Tuesday, Rangnick’s team played with relentless energy and a hunger to win back the ball quickly after losing it. At times, the Dutch players seemed exhausted in the face of their opponents’ desire.

“You can see a clear development since the coach joined the team,” Sabitzer added.

“Before we were a bit passive against the ball and we have definitely changed that.

“We are now very strong against the ball, so everyone knows when we lose the ball we have to switch and hunt down the ball. That is the biggest difference.”

Tom Middler, host of Austrian football podcast “The Other Bundesliga”, says this Austria side is a complete opposite to the one under Rangnick’s predecessor Franco Foda.

“On a few memorable occasions, Franco Foda gave his players an earful when they instinctively tried to move forward and press, so the current style couldn’t be much more contrasting to the defensive, cautious Austria of before,” he told BBC Sport.

“The players certainly seem to respect [Rangnick] and they appear to be very happy with him in charge as his football is much closer to what most players know from their clubs.”