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Austria's Rangnick says stopping Lamine Yamal key to upsetting Spain

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Austria coach Ralf Rangnick identified stopping Spain's Lamine Yamal as a key priority for their World Cup round of 32 match.
  • Rangnick acknowledged Austria must improve significantly to challenge unbeaten Spain, who have scored fewer goals but conceded fewer.
  • Despite being without defender Phillipp Mwene, Austria remains confident in their ability to compete against a tournament favorite.

Austria's coach Ralf Rangnick has pinpointed Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal as the primary threat his team must neutralize in their upcoming World Cup round of 32 fixture. "Lamine Yamal is an excellent player, and he will be for the next 12, 13 or 14 years," Rangnick stated, emphasizing the need to limit his opportunities. "He is one of the players we will watch very closely tomorrow, not to give him a lot of room or too many opportunities to start his dribbling actions."

Lamine Yamal is an excellent player, and he will be for the next 12, 13 or 14 years, ⁠maybe even longer. If he stays healthy and keeps a straight head on his shoulders, he can play a lot of matches.

— Ralf RangnickAustria coach Ralf Rangnick described the young Spanish winger's talent and potential.

Rangnick admitted that Austria, despite scoring six goals in the group stage, must elevate their performance against a Spanish side that remains undefeated in 34 matches since March 2023. "We all know that we need to do even better tomorrow. Against Spain this is obvious," he said. "We have to make one further step."

He is one of the players we will watch very closely tomorrow, not to give him a lot of room or too many opportunities to start his dribbling actions.

— Ralf RangnickRangnick outlined his team's strategy to contain Lamine Yamal.

Captain David Alaba, who previously played for Real Madrid, echoed the sentiment of facing a formidable opponent. "They play very attractive football. They have enormous quality and individual players that can make a difference," Alaba commented. "But we don’t want to hide. We really want to play forward and try to be successful."

He is a player that all football fans, no matter where they are from, love to watch. But it is our task tomorrow to let him have the ball as little as possible.

— Ralf RangnickRangnick acknowledged Yamal's appeal while stressing the need to limit his influence.

Austria will be missing defender Phillipp Mwene due to injury. However, Rangnick expressed confidence in his squad's depth, believing they have sufficient options to compensate for absences and can still contend with one of the tournament's favorites.

We all know that we need to do even better tomorrow. Against Spain this is obvious. We ⁠have to make one further step.

— Ralf RangnickRangnick discussed the need for his team to improve against Spain.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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