Ralf Rangnick expressed frustration with certain aspects of Austria’s defensive performance but praised their entertainment value after their exit from Euro 2024, noting that some other games have been “difficult to stay awake for,” Soccernet.football reports.

Despite finishing on top of a Group D that included powerhouses France and the Netherlands, Austria’s dream run at Euro 2024 ended in the round of 16 with defensive lapses from corners proving costly, as they fell 2-1 to a determined Turkey side in Leipzig on Tuesday.

Merih Demiral capitalized just 57 seconds into the match after Arda Guler’s set-piece created chaos in Austria’s six-yard area, and the same duo combined to deliver another crucial blow in the second half.

Austria have now been eliminated in the first knockout stage in consecutive editions of the Euros, however their German tactician was far from displeased with the performance of his battling side.

“We didn’t have the necessary luck,” the Austria manager told reporters. “I believe if the game had gone to extra time we would have had a chance to win, the Turks were fairly exhausted towards the end, but we had a physical advantage.”

“We didn’t score enough goals, not enough chances and the set pieces, we didn’t defend well. For the second goal, we had three players very good at headers, but Demiral still scored, and if you’re two goals behind, it’s not easy.

“The four games we played were very entertaining, including today’s game. Not everything was accurate, we could have played a few passes better.

“Four entertaining games, super intense – I saw games that were difficult to stay awake for, but that is not the case with us.”

Austria’s elimination unfortunately sees one of the most exciting teams at Euro 2024 say goodbye to the tournament.

However, with the likes of Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal and the Netherlands all booking quarterfinals spots, the competition still has plenty of excitement to offer.

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