Austria and North Macedonia get Group C of the 2020 UEFA European Championship, or Euro 2020, started on Sunday, June 13th at 17:00.
Austria is coming into Euro 2020 with a strong squad built on Bundesliga talents.
For example, the main star, David Alaba, will be complemented by Marcel Sabitzer and Xaver Schlager.
They will want to live up to expectations this time around after disappointing in previous years.
To clarify, the Austrian national side finished bottom of their group in Euro 2016 which included Hungary, Portugal and newcomers Iceland.
Daniel Bachmann can provide a solid presence in goal after a stellar season with newly-promoted Watford if he plays but Alexander Schlager of LASK is favoured.
Schlager has only made six appearances for the national side but can improve on that during the competition.
Sasa Kaladzjic will want to make a name for himself on the international stage after a stunning breakthrough season.
Upon reflection, 16 goals and six assists for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga is impressive.
A goal at the Euros will only serve to compliment his talent further.
Austria’s possession-based football will go up against North Macedonia’s low-block.
Furthermore, this low-block can shift into a counterattacking shape when needed.
North Macedonia will make their European Championships debut against ‘Das Team’.
Igor Ankelovski’s side enters Euro 2020 as the lowest-ranked side, per Fifa.
However, the 62nd best team in the world will look to cause an upset or two in the group stages.
37-year-old Goran Pandev and the creative Elif Elmas will be crucial for the side in the tournament.
In addition, the pace of Leeds wing-back Ezgjan Alioski will also be an important weapon for the North Macedonians.
Predicted Lineups
Austria (4-2-3-1): Alexander Schlager; Stefan Lainer, Aleksander Dragovic, Marvin Hinteregger, Andreas Ulmer; Florian Grillitsch, Xaver Schlager; Valentin Lazaro, Christopher Baumgartlinger, David Alaba; Sasa Kaladzjic
North Macedonia (5-3-2):Stole Dimitrevski; Stefan Ristovski, Egzon Betjulai, Visar Musliu, Darko Velkovski, Ezgjan Alioski; Arijan Ademi, Boban Nikolov, Elif Elmas; Goran Pandev, Ivan Trickovski.
Betting
Austria 8/13
Draw 12/5
North Macedonia 5/1
Prediction
Austria 1-0 North Macedonia
