He's there, he supports the team, he's the link between players and the coaching staff. Christoph Baumgartner does what he can, despite his injury. There's just one thing he can't do: be on the pitch and play football.
And that was evident in all three games. The creativity, ball security, and dynamism of the Leipzig player are missing from the ÖFB team.
Ralf Rangnick tried Konrad Laimer, Paul Wanner, and Romano Schmid as replacements – all three are different types of players, all three didn't do a bad job, but they weren't the X-factor.
This is because they only partially cover Baumgartner's overall package, which is so crucial for Austria's game – pressing trigger, dribbler, goal scorer, creative spirit.
Too Few Goal-Scoring Opportunities
The fact that the ÖFB team has posed very little goal threat at this World Cup so far is also, but not solely, due to Baumgartner's absence.
Six goals in three games, an average of two goals per match. That's not bad.
A look at the xG value, which assesses the quality of goal-scoring opportunities, is more sobering. Statistically, the ÖFB team was only expected to score 3.62 goals (1.93 against Jordan, 0.63 against Argentina, 1.06 against Algeria) – and 0.75 of that comes from Arnautovic's penalty in the opening match.
Rangnick's XI has clearly lacked courage in this tournament so far.
Not Solid in Defense
Six conceded goals in three games, no clean sheets. This is also less than thrilling, but wouldn't be particularly concerning.
If it weren't for the fact that more than half of them were entirely avoidable. The three goals conceded in the final match against Algeria were due to either individual (goals 1 and 2) or collective (goal 3) failure.
The second Argentine goal should never, ever have happened in stoppage time. And the Argentinians' first goal could also have been prevented if someone had felt compelled to accompany Lionel Messi as he jogged through midfield.
Anyone who wants to succeed on this stage must be more consistent and focused.
No Goalkeeper Debate
Hardly any position has caused as much discussion among ÖFB team fans over weeks and months as the one in goal.
To put it diplomatically: If there had been a public referendum before the World Cup, Alexander Schlager probably wouldn't have emerged with an absolute majority.
But Ralf Rangnick ended the debate after the final test match in early June. The first three games have proven him right.
"Gassi" has had a clean finals tournament so far, providing a reliable backbone.
Best Against the Best
The fact that the ÖFB team performs best against supposedly superior opponents is not a new insight in the Rangnick era.
The group stage has proven this once again. David Alaba and Co. delivered their best performance against world champions Argentina.
Although it wasn't enough for a sensation in the end. But after these 90 minutes against the world number one, it should have dawned on the Austrians that something could be achieved with consistent pressing and courage in attacking play.
Perhaps only in one out of ten such games, but still. That gives hope for the duel with Spain.
