Preview of match 1 vs Croatia

If you’re looking for interesting clues of Austria’s first match likely the first thing you’ll notice is the veil of secrecy that surrounds the Austrian camp. Coach Hickersberger has kept a tight grip on the media and yet to reveal much of his starting eleven including the obvious importance of formation and formerly announce the starting ‘keeper.

Croatia is definitely sounding the war drums and sounding confident, prepared and ready to be the surprise team of the Euros. Coach Bilić’s squad boasts a superb midfield that is most problematic for Austria. With the weather clearing up or certainly not as bad as it was during training this week, the pace of the match will not work to Austria’s advantage. While it has been speculated that Ivica Vastic would start the match on the bench as the team comes out with a 4-4-2, I cannot believe his composure and tactical knowledge would be left off at the start and he’ll be employed from the start. Of course maybe that’s more hope than anything because I think his experience will be needed immediately as we cannot afford Croatia to get off to a fast start.

The pressure for Austria is obviously quite high as domestically there has been much concern of being over their heads. The discipline issues of the past week are a potential heavy burden on the squad but it equally could be a tactical ploy by Coach Hickersberger to pull the group together. Austria’s lofty goal of advancing to the quarter finals is obviously dependent upon salvaging at least a draw against the world-class Croatia. To do so control, Austria must find a way to somehow control Niko Kranjcar, Mladen Petric and Luka Modric and it is quite possible that Austria will stack the midfield in more of a 4-5-1 with Ivica starting and Roland Linz handling the lone striker position. In this manner the club could maintain a more controlled pace at the start and if needed make use of Edwin Hoffer’s speed off the bench later in the match. Austria is reporting a 100% healthy squad and Emanuel Pogatetz’s calf injury has been troubling, I cannot believe anyone is capable of keeping “Mad Dog” off the pitch today.

I will be posting updates closer to the match as the lineups are revealed.