Rangnick criticises weak start, calls for more energy in Dublin

In Dublin, the Austrians achieved a 2-2 draw against Ireland after trailing 0-2. Head coach Ralf Rangnick criticised the low energy level and the weak first twenty minutes, while lamenting the team's lack of ball control. He also stressed that the Irish dominated the game and Austria did not win any second balls.

Rangnick's analysis of the opening phase

Rangnick explained that the team had not brought the required energy level onto the pitch. He criticised the first twenty minutes as particularly weak and lamented that the Irish dominated, while Austria did not win any second balls. The German coach emphasised that the lack of ball control decisively affected the game.

Despite the third match within eight days, Rangnick saw no freshness issues. He pointed out that after the 3-1 victory over Kosovo on Sunday he had fielded six new players. Instead, he suspected a mental freshness that was missing during the course of the game.

Before the 1-0 from striker Parrott's solo, Rangnick warned the team never to concede such a goal, even if it was nicely executed. He explained that the Austrians were three against a single attacker, which in his view was especially frustrating. He also reminded the players that the Irish played physically strong.

Defender Philipp Lienhart praised the ability to come back from 0-2 in Ireland and said a win would have been justified. However, he criticised the opening minutes as not matching the desired performance. Lienhart stressed that the team must analyse the opening phase.