Austria look to end miserable run against Germany
Thursday, June 2, 2011
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Former Austria coach Hans Krankl described the visit of Group A leaders Germany as "the match of all matches" as they bid to arrest a slump in form and poor run against their neighbours.
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Having impressed in their opening qualifying matches, Austria's journey to UEFA EURO 2012 was dealt a huge blow with two losses in March, so there is more than one reason why former national coach Hans Krankl has earmarked Friday's fixture against neighbours Germany – yet to drop a Group A point – as "the match of all matches."
Austria have five squad members plying their trade in the German Bundesliga, and with Joachim Löw formerly in charge of FC Tirol Innsbruck, the ties between the neighbours are the closest they have been in decades. However Krankl, who scored twice in Austria's famous 3-2 victory against West Germany at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, is well aware of the gulf in class between the sides and is under no illusions about the task ahead in Vienna. "The match against Germany is the match of all matches to us," said the former FC Barcelona player. "We have to believe in the impossible."
Qualification appeared more likely at the beginning of Austria's Group A campaign when Dietmar Constantini's side registered home wins against Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan before a thrilling 4-4 draw against Belgium in October. However, back-to-back 2-0 defeats against Belgium and Turkey in March have left Austria in fourth and needing to end a run of five straight defeats against Germany. "Currently, we don't even think about our chances of qualifying for the finals," explained defender Paul Scharner. "All we live for are the two games against Germany."
Germany, five points clear at the top, will be without Miroslav Klose, Sven Bender, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Christian Träsch and Marco Reus and although Austria still remain underdogs, Constantini believes his players will stand up and be counted in Vienna. "Usually, I have respect for every opponent but this time we have to leave the respect in the dressing room and be brave," said Constantini. "In front of a crowd of 50,000 we have a damn duty to put in a decent performance. We must not sink."
Captain Marc Janko added: "We have prepared very intensively for this difficult match. We are the rank outsiders and have nothing to lose but we want to annoy Germany and maybe that will be good enough for a draw or a success."
