Rangnick after Ireland comeback: "We were closer to victory"

Thanks to a strong comeback, Austria secured a point with a 2-2 draw in Dublin against Ireland on the third matchday of the Nations League (To the match report>>>).

From an Austrian perspective, the match didn't start well: The Irish began very physically and energetically. In the twelfth minute, Troy Parrott scored a deserved opener with a strong individual effort. The Betis Sevilla striker left three ÖFB defenders in his wake.

"We were outplayed in all areas"

Therefore, after the match, Ralf Rangnick was highly critical of the ÖFB team's defensive performance. "We did anything but well. He (Parrott, ed. note) can get past the first defender, but then not the second and third," the head coach told "ORF".

Overall, Rangnick was very dissatisfied with the first half: "We were essentially outplayed in all areas; we had less energy and won almost no second balls. We couldn't complain about the half-time score. It was deserved."

Shortly before the break, Parrott made it 2-0 from the penalty spot. However, the ÖFB team didn't let the scoreline or the weak first half get them down.

The Irish were "on their last legs"

After the break, Rangnick made a few substitutions that had an impact. Both Prass (71') and Gregoritsch (77') were brought on and both scored.

Prass' goal, in particular, brought Austria back into the game.

"The Irish played great. We couldn't find any solutions, but at least from the goal that reduced the deficit onwards, the momentum shifted in our favour," said Rangnick.

According to the German, Austria was even closer to victory in the end: "I had the feeling that the Irish were on their last legs in the final ten minutes. In the end, we were closer to victory. I am satisfied with the result, but not with the first half."