Austria, the French team’s first opponent at Euro-2024 (June 14-July 14), will be without its captain David Alaba, injured and absent from a list of 29 players presented on Wednesday by coach Ralf Rangnick. Victim of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee in December with Real Madrid, the central defender is insufficiently recovered and must give up on the Euro, but the captain of Austria will be present during the preparation for the tournament with his teammates.
“It is of course very unfortunate that he is not available as a player. I spoke with him in recent weeks, and he insisted that it was his great wish to be with us despite everything,” explained Ralf Rangnick. The player will therefore join the Austrian selection “on June 4 or 5,” said the coach.
From his list of 29 presented on Tuesday, Rangnick will have to withdraw by June 7 at least three names for his final group of 26 players (22 or 23 outfield players and 3 or 4 goalkeepers) to compete in Euro-2024 . Austria, placed in Group D, will begin its tournament on Monday June 17 (9:00 p.m.) against France in Düsseldorf, before continuing against Poland in Berlin three days later (6:00 p.m.) and concluding this group stage at Berlin on June 25 against the Netherlands.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer will join the squad after the Champions League final, which he will play against Real Madrid at Wembley on June 1. The Austrian preparation camp will take place from May 29 to June 3 in Windischgarsten (center), then friendly matches against Serbia in Vienna on June 4 and in Saint Gall against Switzerland on June 8. During the Euro, Austria will be based in Berlin.