Austrian coach Franco Foda said on Friday that, despite being “under dogged”, Austria hopes to make history with a win against Italy in the Euro 2020 match at Wembley. Austria entered a major tournament from the opening round for the first time since the 1982 World Cup, reaching the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time. “We know we are subordinate and it’s hard to realistically measure our chances, but even with 10% you can get a lot,” Foda said at a news conference in London.
Austria moved to second place in Group C after a 1–0 win over Ukraine, and a 2–0 loss to the Netherlands. Italy scored three wins, seven goals and conceded none in Group A. “This team has already done something great, but now we are focused on taking the next step to move to Munich,” Foda continued. “We have a lot of confidence after the match against Ukraine.”
He said, “In the third game too, he looked strong despite making a lot of changes. They are a dangerous team. Even after a good game, you always think about what you can improve in the team. Italy is very different (compared to Ukraine), but you can assume I wouldn’t change too much. Technically, maybe we will change a little bit more, on the ball and there.”
Italy has won all four previous matches against Austria in the major football tournament. “We have already written history to finish eighth and we will be happy if we can beat Italy.”
Captain David Alaba said he felt “a very positive relationship” with Wembley, where he won the 2013 Champions League with Bayern Munich. “It is a special match for me personally, but not only for me, for the entire team and I think for the whole country. I remember in 2013, it was a special evening and the day before that was also very special.”
“It was the final of the Champions League, so the atmosphere in the city could have felt like there was a great event coming up, tomorrow will be the same for us. It’s a special match for us, in a very special stadium,” he said.
“I don’t worry about my boys, the atmosphere and team spirit is amazing and we look forward to this great clash last night and for each of us, it’s like a dream come true, an optimum against Italy at Euro The final has to be played. It will be a great move to reach the quarter-finals in Munich. It will be like a dream come true, but we don’t think about it at the moment.”
