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Croatia's Mateo Kovačić (M.) as a symbol: Austria was consistently too strong for the Croats
Photo: Darko Bandic/AP
Ralf Rangnick started his new job as Austria's national soccer coach with a win.
The ÖFB selection prevailed on the debut of the German coach at the start of the Nations League 3-0 (1-0) against vice world champion Croatia.
Ex-Bundesliga professional Marko Arnautović (41st minute), Michael Gregoritsch from FC Augsburg (54th) and Marcel Sabitzer from FC Bayern Munich (57th) scored in Osijek for the clearly superior guests.
After initial problems, the Austrians played very effectively in Osijek and used their chances ice cold.
The high pressing that is typical of Rangnick teams did not initially work as desired.
The Croatians, with Dortmund's Marin Pongracić, Stuttgart's Borna Sosa and Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramarić in the starting line-up, found playful solutions, dominated the action even without their star Luka Modrić, who sat on the bench for an hour, and created clearer scoring chances.
The Austrians only got stronger towards the end of the first half, but the lead through Arnautović's 33rd international goal came as a surprise.
In the second half, Rangnick brought on Christopher Trimmel and Gregoritsch from Berlin, who made it 2-0 after a remarkable combination.
Sabitzer followed up with a long-range shot.
Champions League winner David Alaba from Real Madrid was missing from Rangnick's team, the former Munich player did not travel at all due to stress.
Five Bundesliga professionals were in the starting XI: Sabitzer, Gladbach's Stefan Lainer, Leipzig's Konrad Laimer, Wolfsburg's Xaver Schlager and Mainz's Karim Onisiwo.
After missing out on qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year under Franco Foda, 63-year-old Rangnick should lead Austria into a successful future.
Right from the start, the former coach of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig are faced with further tough tests.
This is followed by games against Denmark, world champions France and again in Denmark at the end of the Nations League block.
The latter caused a big surprise in the group: Denmark defeated world champions France 2-1 (0-0).
The French were without coach Didier Deschamps in Paris, who left after the death of his father.
Barely a week after the Champions League victory with Real Madrid, star striker Karim Benzema returned to the Stade de France and scored the lead in the 51st minute.
Andreas Cornelius (68th/88th) turned the encounter late with a brace.
The Netherlands had no trouble beating Belgium 4-1 (1-0) in group four.
In Brussels, Steven Bergwijn (40'), Memphis Depay (51'/65') and Denzel Dumfries (61') scored against the weak Belgians, whose defense around Dedryck Boyata from Hertha BSC seemed completely overwhelmed in crucial situations.
In addition, striker Romelu Lukaku had to be replaced early on with an injury.
After a running duel, he initially lay down and grabbed his ankle.
The goal from ex-Dortmunder Michy Batshuayi (90 + 3) came too late.
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