Austria scored six goals across their three group matches, one more than Spain, and have looked among the tournament’s more effective attacking teams. The next challenge is sustaining that threat against a side unbeaten in 34 matches since March 2023.
Rangnick has acknowledged the step up required. “He is a player that all football fans, no matter where they are from, love to watch,” he said of Lamine Yamal. “But it is our task tomorrow to let him have the ball as little as possible.”
That will demand disciplined pressing and brave defending. Austria cannot afford to give Spain’s midfield time to release Yamal into one-on-one situations, yet retreating too deeply would undermine the approach Alaba has promised.
Spain have handled Yamal carefully since the winger’s hamstring injury in April. The 18-year-old has played 141 minutes across three group matches and scored once, with his workload limited ahead of the knockout stage.
His involvement could still change the match. Yamal brings unpredictability from wide areas, while Spain have several players capable of deciding a contest in a single passage of play.
Austria will also be without defender Phillipp Mwene because of injury. Rangnick believes he has enough alternatives, but the absence removes another option from a defence already facing a major examination.
Spain’s control and unbeaten run make them formidable favourites, but Austria’s attacking confidence gives the tie an edge. Alaba accepts the quality of the opposition, while refusing to compromise on ambition.
“They play very attractive football. They have enormous quality and individual players that can make a difference,” he said. “But we don't want to hide.”
The next storyline will be whether Austria’s forward intent can unsettle Spain early - and whether Yamal’s carefully managed minutes are enough to tilt the tie.