(Group C) - Ukraine 0-1 Austria - Monday 21st June, 2021

[Stan]

       VS     

Kick-off 17.00 (BST)

Venue - Arena Nationale, Bucharest

[Michael]

I hope both these sides come out looking for a win, instead of settling for a draw(which would be enough for both of them to advance). I personally can't see Ukraine losing. The attacking skills of Yaremchuk, Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi, Shaparenko and Zinchenko, should breach the Austrian defence at some point. The fullbacks Mykolenko and Karavayev also love to bomb down the flanks and assist the attack. I just think the Ukrainians will give the Austrians a lot of headaches, if they search for the win.

[Stan]

6 minutes ago, Michael said:

I hope both these sides come out looking for a win, instead of settling for a draw(which would be enough for both of them to advance). I personally can't see Ukraine losing. The attacking skills of Yaremchuk, Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi, Shaparenko and Zinchenko, should breach the Austrian defence at some point. The fullbacks Mykolenko and Karavayev also love to bomb down the flanks and assist the attack. I just think the Ukrainians will give the Austrians a lot of headaches, if they search for the win.

I'd be amazed if either settle for a draw - like you say both need to win to secure 2nd place as they don't even know if they will have enough to qualify if finishing 3rd. It's too risky I think.

[nudge]

If Austria win, they face Italy in the next round.
If Austria lose, they are out.
If it's a draw, there's a good chance they qualify and face the winner of Group E or Group F (I think?)

I don't think Austria will go all-in and risk losing. Most likely another boring display of Foda's defensive, cowardly football. Although Arnautovic is supposed to start tomorrow, so that gives me some hope... Hopefully the players will be motivated by the chance to make it into the knockout rounds for the first time in 67 years and will push for the win.

[Devil]

1 minute ago, nudge said:

If Austria win, they face Italy in the next round.
If Austria lose, they are out.
If it's a draw, there's a good chance they qualify and face the winner of Group E or Group F (I think?)

I don't think Austria will go all-in and risk losing. Most likely another boring display of Foda's defensive, cowardly football. Although Arnautovic is supposed to start tomorrow, so that gives me some hope... Hopefully the players will be motivated by the chance to make it into the knockout rounds for the first time in 67 years and will push for the win.

Are you from Austria Nudge? 

 

[nudge]

1 minute ago, Devil said:

Are you from Austria Nudge? 

No, there are some very distant links in the family, but nothing significant enough. So just a sympathiser  

[Michael]

45 minutes ago, Stan said:

I'd be amazed if either settle for a draw - like you say both need to win to secure 2nd place as they don't even know if they will have enough to qualify if finishing 3rd. It's too risky I think.

Ukraine don't actually need to win to finish in 2nd place, a draw would be enough to see Ukraine secure 2nd position. While a draw would very likely see Austria through as well, even though they would finish in third place. But yeah, a draw would still be kind of risky for Austria, although getting 4 points should see most teams through. 

[Stan]

30 minutes ago, Michael said:

Ukraine don't actually need to win to finish in 2nd place, a draw would be enough to see Ukraine secure 2nd position. While a draw would very likely see Austria through as well, even though they would finish in third place. But yeah, a draw would still be kind of risky for Austria, although getting 4 points should see most teams through. 

True. Ukraine don't strike me as the kind of team to sit back for a draw though. Momentum can be key in tournaments - win  

[The Käiser]

Austria probably going for a draw. Second spot is a game with Italy so not much of a great outlook 

for Austria getting to the knockout stages is a big success 

if they lose, they need to keep it close for any chance of claiming a best third place 

[nudge]

Ulmer is on the bench and it seems Alaba starts in LB with Grillitsch in midfield! Looks like a 4-3-2-1  

Bachmann - Alaba, Hinteregger, Dragovic, Lainer - Grillitsch, Schlager, Laimer - Sabitzer, Baumgartner - Arnautovic. 

Finally, a lineup that inspires hope. 

[The Käiser]

10 minutes ago, nudge said:

Ulmer is on the bench and it seems Alaba starts in LB with Grillitsch in midfield! Looks like a 4-3-2-1  

Bachmann - Alaba, Hinteregger, Dragovic, Lainer - Grillitsch, Schlager, Laimer - Sabitzer, Baumgartner - Arnautovic. 

Finally, a lineup that inspires hope. 

I have the feeling that they will lose this game and also fall out of the best third place teams too. 
hope I’m wrong 

[Stan]

Finally Alaba away from CB. 

[nudge]

9 minutes ago, The Käiser said:

I have the feeling that they will lose this game and also fall out of the best third place teams too. 
hope I’m wrong 

I'm cautiously optimistic, especially after seeing the lineup... 

2-1 for Austria

[Michael]

35 minutes ago, nudge said:

Ulmer is on the bench and it seems Alaba starts in LB with Grillitsch in midfield! Looks like a 4-3-2-1  

Bachmann - Alaba, Hinteregger, Dragovic, Lainer - Grillitsch, Schlager, Laimer - Sabitzer, Baumgartner - Arnautovic. 

Finally, a lineup that inspires hope. 

I've just seen the line-ups and it seems like Foda has made very sensible changes to the side. No "has been" Ulmer in the starting 11 and Alaba starts at fullback. Indeed, it is finally a sensible and strong line-up for the Austrians. With Arnautovic back, that should boost the side as well. This looks a pretty strong line-up, I was quite optimistic of a Ukraine win before the game, but I think it might be a much harder task now. 

Ukraine have made only one change from their last match as they have brought back Sydorchuk in place of Stepanenko. I find this a bit surprising given that Stepanenko had an excellent game against the Macedonians. Other than that, the Ukrainian lineup looks very strong, despite the absence of Zubkov. Shaparenko will start in midfield for the second game running, hopefully he can play as well against the Austrians as he did against the Macedonians. But yeah, looking at the line-ups of both sides, this should be a very tough game.

[Dan+]

If this was specifically anybody but Austria I think they'd play out a disgrace of a 0-0. That said - I can totally see a legitimate draw as well, it is a well balanced fixture.

[nudge]

I didn't realise Shevchenko was the manager of Ukraine! 

[Michael]

1 minute ago, nudge said:

I didn't realise Shevchenko was the manager of Ukraine! 

Where have you been the last 5 years? Clearly not watching Ukraine play. 

[nudge]

1 minute ago, Michael said:

Where have you been the last 5 years? Clearly not watching Ukraine play. 

Clearly

[Michael]

End to end already, it looks like there will be goals.

[nudge]

1 minute ago, Michael said:

End to end already, it looks like there will be goals.

Yeah looks promising so far, although both teams keep making annoying mistakes and playing misplaced passes. 

[Michael]

Austria score!

[nudge]

Jaaaaaaa! Baumgartner scores, 1-0 for Austria! 

[Tommy]

Austria look much better than in the previous matches. 

[nudge]

2 minutes ago, Tommy said:

Austria look much better than in the previous matches. 

What a difference player selection and formation makes, huh. 

[montybhopa]

Im baffled at the defensive tactics from Ukraine. Just get a win and get on with it, why play for a draw?