ÖFB team faces Argentina at Dallas Stadium, anxious over captain Alaba

Should a full three points actually be secured, Austria would not only move into the next round early. It would also mark the first time since a 3:2 win against Germany at the 1978 World Cup in Cordoba that Austria has beaten a reigning world champion in a competitive match. Given this historic opportunity, there is great anticipation in the ÖFB camp, but also considerable tension.

Rangnick's assessment: top-class team with a strong midfield axis

Team boss Ralf Rangnick described the South Americans as an "absolute top-class team" and a "complete possession team." His assistant coach Stefan Oesen highlighted the midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister, while warning of their ability to dictate the tempo. "They are extremely good at setting the rhythm," Oesen said, adding: "They have a different approach from Algeria, perhaps with more physical players." Rangnick underlined: "We also define ourselves by that."

At the same time, the Austrian squad is anxiously waiting on the fitness of captain David Alaba. Whether the defensive leader will be ready in time remained uncertain until the last minute. Which eleven Rangnick will field is therefore also not yet definitively clear. What is clear, however, is the approach: "It's important that you are constantly on alert and put pressure on the ball," Oesen summed up.

Messi's record chase and the respect of the ÖFB pros

At the center of the Argentine team once again stands Lionel Messi. The soon-to-be 39-year-old master appeared in brilliant form at the tournament opener, and Rangnick is on guard. "He is an absolute phenomenon," the team boss said. Messi, in turn, could break a historic mark: should the eight-time world footballer find the net against the ÖFB team as well, he would surpass Germany's Miroslav Klose and, with 17 goals, become the sole all-time World Cup top scorer.

Among Austria's pros, Messi commands the highest respect. For Marko Arnautovic, Messi is "the greatest of all time"; Xaver Schlager credited the virtuoso with "God-given talent"; and Michael Gregoritsch said: "I was a Ronaldo advocate for a long time, but by now I am absolutely convinced that Messi is the greatest footballer of all time." Gregoritsch added: "Ronaldo you can at least partly imitate, Messi you can't."

Argentina's assistant coach Pablo Aimar, for his part, warned about the ÖFB side. "Austria is a very tough team," Aimar said, adding: "But it will be just as tough." His boss Lionel Scaloni will make changes, Aimar announced. All of which suggests the defending champion is taking the encounter anything but lightly.

Sabatini watches the World Cup from her tennis routine

Beyond the pitch, numerous prominent sportswomen and sportsmen are watching the duel with anticipation. While tennis is being played on the grass courts of the Mallorca Championships, former Argentine tennis icon Gabriela Sabatini turned her attention to the World Cup match. "At a World Cup you can never predict what will happen," she said, adding a warning: "You also have to control the other players who support him." Sabatini sees the Austrians as very strong: "The Austrians play very well, they have a strong team."

Asked about the title chances of the defending champion, the 56-year-old said: "We all know it will be difficult to become world champions twice in a row." Nevertheless, she sees good prerequisites: "The team is strong, and there are also very good young players. But you have to think from game to game." For Monday's encounter, she offered a clear prognosis: "I think it will be a difficult game for both teams" and added: "It will be a tough game."

Sabatini's passion for football runs deep. "Football is by far the most important sport in Argentina," she explained. "I am connected to River Plate," confessed the former world number one, who still goes to the stadium as often as possible whenever she is in Argentina: "Even today, I still go to the stadium as often as possible when I am in Argentina." The World Cup triumph four years ago left a lasting mark on the country: "Everyone was out in the streets." Particularly emotional for her was the fact that she followed the tournament in Argentina for the first time, rather than in Europe as is so often the case.

Tennis talk: Tagger, Potapova and Schiavone

In addition to football, Sabatini also spoke about Austrian tennis. "They now have a lot of confidence after their 3:1 win against Jordan," she said in reference to the ÖFB team, continuing: "That will certainly give them extra support and self-belief." Sabatini was particularly taken with the young hope Lilli Tagger: "She has a beautiful game and a great future ahead of her." Tagger is "in very good hands" with her coach Francesca Schiavone, the Argentine stressed.

Anastasia Potapova, who has been playing for Austria since this season, also earned Sabatini's praise: "She has had a very good clay-court season." On the question of a successful title defense by Argentina, the 56-year-old said: "A successful title defense is something she considers possible, but by no means certain." Success requires a plan and strategy: "For that you need a great strategy."

On Messi's special quality in the national team, Sabatini said: "He is always extremely motivated when he plays for Argentina." That motivation, combined with a keen awareness of the captain's enormous aura, makes Argentina a particularly dangerous opponent. "Messi is particularly dangerous in the national team," Sabatini summarized her assessment, offering at the same time a glimpse of the unpredictability of a World Cup tournament: "At a World Cup, anything can happen."

Strengths in transition play and outlook on the game

On the Austrian side, the team sees its strengths primarily in transition play and pressing. "We already saw at the Euros against France and the Netherlands that it suits us when there are spaces and transition situations," Oesen explained. Those experiences are meant to provide courage for the task against the South American favorites, who are viewed by many experts as co-favorites for the title.

That the ÖFB team is approaching the match with broad shoulders after the win against Jordan was also confirmed indirectly by Sabatini: "That will certainly give them extra support and self-belief." For the ÖFB side, Monday evening is therefore about not only three points, but also the chance of a historic victory against a reigning world champion.

Kickoff at the Dallas Stadium is at 7:00 p.m. CEST, with the match broadcast live on ServusTV. Whether captain Alaba will be fit in time is likely to be decided only shortly before the game. What is certain is that Rangnick's "absolute top-class team" represents the biggest test of the tournament so far for the ÖFB team.