By Sulaimon Jamiu
Former Manchester United manager, Ralf Rangnick, began his new adventure with the Austria national team with a mesmerising start, when they beat Croatia 3-0 in their opening game of the Nations League campaign on Friday.
A goal each from Marko Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch and Marcel Sabitzer helped Austria move to the top of the League A Group One, after Denmark claimed an away 2-1 victory against France in the other game of the group.
Austria took the lead against the Croatians through an Arnautovic solo run past the defence, as he shot from the edge of the box into the bottom right corner, just before halftime.
Substitute Gregoritsch doubled Austria’s lead in the 54th minute on the counter attack with a fine first-touch strike, while Sabitzer made it 3-0 three minutes later.
Croatia midfielder, Ivan Perisic, young star defender Josko Gvardiol and defender Sime Vrsaljko were unavailable for coach for the side due to injuries, as Croatia suffered their first defeat since the Euro 2020 finals last June.
Austria on the other hand were without key-man David Alaba, who did not travel with the squad after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid last week.
