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Austria's Rangnick admits Argentina 'have no weaknesses' as they prepare for matchup

RE

Reuters

Published 3 hours ago

Ralf Rangnick expects his Austria players will have to perform at their highest ⁠level since his arrival as coach if they are to avoid defeat when they take on defending champions Argentina in their second ‌World Cup Group J match at Dallas Stadium on Monday.

[p]Both teams go into the meeting on ‌three points after the Austrians beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/jordan/vNcmJoU2/"]Jordan[/a] with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Lionel Messi[/a] scoring ‌a hat-trick in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a]'s 3-0 win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/algeria/nc87N1BR/"]Algeria[/a], prompting Rangnick to sound a ‌warning to his squad.[/p][p][b]"Let's talk about the weaknesses: there are none, not ‌that we were able to observe,"[/b] Rangnick said of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/scaloni-lionel/A1A2ibcF/"]Lionel Scaloni[/a]'s side on Sunday.[b] "Their strengths, they are outstanding. The players can also play with two or three different ‌types of teams.[/b][/p][p][b]"I don't know how many people will bet on Austria and how many will bet on Argentina. If you look at ‌the algorithm, it probably says we won't win tomorrow."[/b][/p][image alt="Argentina-Austria" id="da2e5a98-8bcb-4b83-9c57-2d95392c4d5a" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="03280154-6d23-446a-8af7-3b60deaa2e01" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b]"We have stuck to our routine, we ⁠have presented the opposition just as ‌usual. We have discussed what to do in possession, out of possession, and ​in set pieces, and we've tried to tell the team what to do to beat them.[/b][/p][p][b]"Obviously, they have the greatest player of ​all time in their team, so we have to show we're one of the best teams at this World Cup.[/b][/p][p][b]"We have to be very ⁠strong tactically, but we have ​to be very courageous. We have to bring our A game tomorrow, and we will maybe have to show the best performances we have ever done under my tenure."[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/austria/naHiWdnt/"]Austria[/a] are appearing at the ‌World Cup for the first time since 1998, with Rangnick masterminding their return to the competition since taking over from Franco Foda over three years ago.[/p][p]Their win against Jordan was their first at a World Cup in 36 years, and Rangnick declared defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/posch-stefan/nsVWqZE2/"]Stefan Posch[/a] would be available to play in a mask after being fitted for the protective headgear in Los Angeles last week.[/p][image alt="Austria-Jordan matchup stats" id="5b624f1d-32b0-4c7b-9652-28e054666afc" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="a3973f19-5c4e-48cc-9be3-edb16c8a01c0" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p][b]"We will play against ​all the odds,"[/b] said Rangnick. [b]"B[/b][b]ut that means we might cause a surprise, it ‌might be a draw or a victory, but anything is possible because we're talking about a ball sport and a team sport.[/b][/p][p][b]"We have our own style, and we have grit and courage, and we can decide the game. This is what makes or breaks you. ⁠I know Argentina play at a ⁠distinguished level, but what is ‌important is the level we are going to play."[/b][/p]

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