Euro 2020: Austria's Ones to Watch Ahead of the Summer
Despite boasting their finest wealth of talent in decades, Austria have struggled to make it all click when it has mattered most.
The individual brilliance of David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic hasn't been enough to overcome what has often looked a disjointed unit overall.
But with the aforementioned duo leading the way, their supporting cast may be stronger than ever and they were able to qualify for next summer's tournament along with Poland in Group G, albeit in second place - although the Austrian's thoroughly dominated both encounters against the Poles in the qualifying phase.
With Marcel Sabitzer developing and maturing under Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig and Stefan Lainer coming into his own at Borussia Monchengladbach with Marco Rose at the helm, expectations will be somewhat high for Das Team heading into the group stages - where they'll face the Netherlands, Ukraine and the winner of play-off D.
Oh, and with the emergence of the listed talents below, there's further reason for Austria fans to be optimistic despite years of disappointment. Here's who to look out for in the Austria squad this summer.
Konrad Laimer
The 22-year-old has established himself as a pivotal member in Nagelsmann's title-chasing RB Leipzig side this season, with his suffocating intensity out of possession leading the way in Nagelsmann's counter-pressing machine in east Germany.
No player averages more tackles and interceptions in the Leipzig squad than Laimer this season (4.7) as he's expertly taken on the role as the shielder to the Die Roten Bullen backline since Diego Demme's January departure. His tremendous energy, fantastic ball-carrying ability and constantly improving passing range also means he offers a threat in attacking transition as well.
Laimer's consistency at the highest level hasn't quite got the recognition it deserves, but there's little doubting that he's been one of Europe's best performing midfielders this season.
Nevertheless, he started seven of Austria's qualifiers last year and next summer, you can expect Laimer to line up alongside Florian Grillitsch or Julian Baumgartlinger in the midfield double pivot of Franco Foda's favoured 4-2-3-1.
Xaver Schlager
Following an impressive campaign under Marco Rose at Red Bull Salzburg, Schlager, like his former manager, made a move to the Bundesliga last summer, where he joined Wolfsburg.
He's swiftly become a regular in Oliver Glasner's Europa League-chasing side this season, registering a goal and two assists from a box-to-box midfield position.
And despite making just three appearances in qualifying, the 22-year-old certainly has the potential to be Austria's 'x-factor' at Euro 2020.
His excellent technique allows him to play almost every pass in the book, while his vision, press-resistance and intelligence often ensure the 22-year-old's one step ahead of his opponents when he's on the ball.
But while his attacking talent and, in particular, his first touch is what you generally notice when you see Schlager play, there's no doubting that he has the defensive nous to play a deeper role for the national team - he averaged 4.34 interceptions for Salzburg last season.
Nevertheless, the Wolfsburg man is undoubtedly an intriguing talent and a player to keep your eye on in the summer - providing he's granted the opportunity to shine.
Florian Grillitsch
There's certainly fierce competition for places in Foda's central midfield, but Grillitsch's performances at the base of Hoffenheim's midfield this season may give him the edge over ageing skipper Baumgartlinger.
A physically imposing midfielder standing at just over 6ft 1, Grillitsch possesses fantastic defensive instincts - registering 5.2 interceptions per 90 minutes for Die Kraichgauer this season.
His ability to break defensive lines with vertical passes adds another dynamic to this Austria midfield while his knack of winning back possession for his side means Das Team could potentially have two ball-winning machines (Grillitsch and Laimer) in the middle of the park, both of whom love initiating a counter-press.
Despite continuously impressing at club level, the 24-year-old made just three appearances in qualifying and in all honesty, it's anybody's guess as to how they'll line-up in Foda's midfield at Euro 2020. The Hoffenheim man, however, is certainly making a compelling case to the Austria boss.