Austria have been handed arguably the toughest possible start as they prepare to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against one of the hot favourites in France.
Managed by former Manchester United and RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick, the Austrians enter into battle in Group D along with Didier Deschamps’ side, Poland and the Netherlands.
Austria’s appearance at this summer’s tournament is their fourth at a European Championship finals – and their third on the bounce – and Rangnick has high aspirations for his team, ranked 25 in the world.
After an underwhelming showing in 2016, Austria progressed through to the round of 16 at Euro 2020, where they were beaten by Italy, the eventual champions, and France will no doubt be wary of their opponents in Dusseldorf.
However, Rangnick will be without his captain – one of the greatest players in Austria’s history – in Germany, with Real Madrid superstar David Alaba ruled out of the entire championships due to a devastating knee injury.
Why isn’t David Alaba playing for Austria vs France today?
Alaba, who featured at both the 2016 and 2020 European Championships, ruptured his anterior crucial ligament (ACL) in mid-December, keeping him sidelined for the second half of Real Madrid’s campaign.
In total, the Austrian skipper missed over 30 games of Madrid’s campaign as Carlo Ancelotti’s men won La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup.
Alaba is not expected to return until the start of next season and the versatile defender, capable of playing at centre-back and left-back, was never going to be able to feature at the Euros.
However, the former Bayern Munich man has travelled with the rest of Rangnick’s squad as a ‘non-playing captain’, such is his importance to the group.
‘It is a great shame of course that he isn’t available to us as a player,’ Rangnick told the media when asked about having to leave Alaba out of his 26-man party for the tournament.
‘Over the last weeks I’ve have had close exchanges with David. He stressed he wanted very much to still be with us.
‘Therefore, I am very happy to say this [non-playing role] will be possible after a good discussion with his club Real Madrid.’
Alaba is the second-most capped player (105) in Austria’s history. Only Inter Milan forward Marko Arnautovic has more appearances for the country after featuring 112 times since his debut back in 2008.
Named the Austrian Footballer of the Year on nine separate occasions, Alaba has scored 15 goals for his nation and is second youngest player to represent the senior team after debuting as a 17-year-old in 2009.
At club level, Alaba is one of the most decorated players in European football having won four Champions League trophies and 12 league titles – in the Bundesliga and La Liga – across an illustrious career with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
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