Ralf Rangnick rallies Austria to embrace Turkey challenge in Euro 2024 last-16 tie

Austria have won plenty of plaudits for the way they recovered from an opening 1-0 defeat by France to beat Poland 3-1 and then saw off the Netherlands 3-2 with a late goal from Marcel Sabitzer to top Group D and so progress as one of the seeds for the last 16.

Rangnick, though, knows there are no second chances from here on.

"If somebody would have forecasted in the group stage that we would proceed into the round of 16 and play in Leipzig, then I would have said 'well, you are very optimistic' — but it is amazing that we have made it this far," Rangnick told a press conference.

"Basically the tournament will start again tomorrow and therefore we really have to switch into this mode of play.

"We have to be fully focused, fully concentrated and be fully aware that errors in such a match can only be corrected in a very difficult way."

Turkey came through as runners-up in Group F after a stoppage-time goal from Cenk Tosun secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Czech Republic in a feisty encounter in Hamburg.

Defender Samet Akaydin was one of eight Turkey players cautioned against the Czechs and so will serve a suspension in the last-16 tie.

Austria beat Turkey 6-1 when they met in a friendly in Vienna during March.

Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella said: "I think they are a complete team, perhaps the best team as a unit.

"They are a team that presses very aggressively high up the pitch, very consistently and they are excellent in transition.

"They remind me of a club team because they are able to recognise all different match situations."