DUSSELDORF. The Habsburgs and Ottomans are gone, but Austria-Turkey still smells of history. Tonight, in Leipzig, the two teams will face each other in the round of 16 of the European Championship and both are chasing a big goal: Rangnick’s team wants to continue to amaze and reach the quarter-finals of a competition for the first time in 70 years (1954 World Cup), while Montella’s men (the last Italian coach left in Germany out of the five who participated) are dreaming of a sensational coup. “We are favourites and everyone is waiting for us,” smiles Walter Schachner, former striker for Torino (115 games with 33 goals) and Austria in the 1980s, “while in the top three of the group we were almost not considered. We won 6-1 two months ago against Turkey, but now it’s a different story and this is the most difficult match of the tournament.”
Schachner, surprised by the path and the game of his Austria?
«No, because before the European Championships they had 6 wins and a draw playing against France, Germany and Turkey. Many footballers play in the English Premier League, in the Bundesliga, in Italy and in Spain. This is evident and it is no longer an Austria of skiers…»
What is Austria’s secret?
“The coach: Ralf Rangnick. In Austria he is the boss and everyone does what he says. This is also why he refused the bench at Bayern Munich: there are too many people talking there and then he wanted a different job for his body and his family.”
Is he more than a coach or a manager?
“He is a good manager and knows how to do many things very well, there was like an explosion with his game system. He is intelligent and then he is truly a professor: he knows how to do things that others do not know how to do. In these years the team has grown a lot and had caused Italy difficulties at the European Championship three years ago, losing only in extra time after Arnautovic’s goal was disallowed by millimetres”.
Austria plays very well…
“True and in fact anything can happen in this European Championship because they have everything. This game system, by pressing very high on the opponent’s area, is making the difference.”
Rangnick invented “gegenpressing”…
“Yes, but you need to be physically fit for 90 minutes and so far it has been there. Then these players have quality, like Spain or a few others. Everyone is afraid when the Austrians press: they are too fast, they attack you and you get into trouble if you have to make a pass or a stop.”
Quality like Spain?
“Yes, I have seen few teams with more quality. A team with quality always knows what to do. England were a disappointment and against Slovakia they were saved only by the play of a champion like Bellingham: I can still play with the English, they are too slow”.
Speaking of disappointments… What do you think of Italy?
“I was very disappointed: you can’t play football like that. Italy also has good players, but the game was too slow: both in defense and in attack. And physically they weren’t well: Switzerland was stronger.”
You played from 1981 to 1988 in Italy with Cesena, Toro and Avellino: 191 games and 48 goals plus another 19 in 38 appearances in the Italian Cup. What is happening to the national team?
“I feel sorry for Italy, they have already missed two World Cups in a row and have never been a protagonist in this European Championship. It’s a shame because you are my second home.”
But Italy doesn’t work because there are too many poor foreigners in Serie A?
«Many things have changed and football is more international now, but if Italians struggle to play in their own teams… So it’s complicated to have a strong national team, also because your players rarely go abroad».
When she played it was different…
“In the 80s it was the most beautiful and difficult championship in the world. Then there were only two foreigners playing and so they had to be strong.”
Who do you like most about this Austria?
“Baumgartner, Sabizer, Schimd… He’s not tall, but he’s very good. Then there’s Prass: he has great potential.”
Which Austrians could play in Serie A?
“Everyone at this moment. From what we saw in Italy, then everyone can play.”
She scored 23 goals in 64 games with her national team, playing the 1978 and 1982 World Cups with great satisfaction. Who is the current Schachner of Austria?
“There isn’t, because my game was about speed towards the goal. I always played no against one, risking a lot. Today football is different: they go from their area to the other, but they always slow down. Everyone does everything, they are much more organized and must not lose the ball.”
How do you see the scoreboard?
“He is in favor, perhaps we have the easiest path.”
Will Germany-Austria be the Berlin final?
“Anything can happen, I’m confident. If we play like this, we’ll go to the quarterfinals and play it out… They consider us as little brothers, but this Austria can do anything.”
