Ralf Rangnick (Austria team manager): “When you see how much we invested in this game and how many scoring opportunities we missed, the whole thing feels pretty grotesque and surreal. I don’t think the team that was the better team throughout the game won. But that’s not what the play-off is about. It’s about deciding games.”
The only criticism is that we didn’t score enough goals and that we didn’t defend well on two set pieces. After the 2-1 we still had so many great opportunities. And in the last second of the game, the way the goalkeeper saved the ball was unbelievable. I still can’t believe that we’re actually going home tomorrow. It feels pointless and undeserved. No criticism of the team, we did well. We just didn’t have the luck we needed.”
Marko Arnautovic (Austria captain): “It’s very bitter, it’s madness. The fact that we left the game like this is brutal. They only had two corners. But that’s football. I want to send congratulations to the Turkish team. They gave their lives on the pitch in 90 minutes and defended everything there was to defend. I wish them all the best for the rest of the tournament. It’s over for us now. It’s a real shame to leave like this.”
APA/dpa/Robert Michael Austria’s players were dejected and deeply disappointed after the defeat against Turkey
Michael Gregoritsch (Austria goalscorer): “One of the worst football evenings I’ve ever experienced. We had so much planned, tried everything, and in the end, I think, at least from an Austrian perspective, we were undeservedly eliminated. Congratulations to Turkey, they defended passionately. We tried everything, and that’s what sticks with us. In the end it wasn’t enough, which is a shame, because we can’t really blame ourselves for anything. I think people can appreciate it, the country can be proud of how fairly everything went, it was a peaceful football festival everywhere.”
Maximilian Wöber (Austria defender): “There is an emptiness in everyone at the moment. We sparked a euphoria, not only in Austria, but also in the team. We believed that we could achieve a lot, now there is a lot of disappointment. In the first half we didn’t really find our game and conceded a quick goal. In the second half we changed things around and that worked better. The chances were there, but it just wasn’t enough. There is a lot in the team, the core is at a perfect age. Now it is difficult to cope with, it will take a few days for everyone.”
Christoph Baumgartner (Austria offensive player): “This is definitely one of the saddest days of my life. I am very, very disappointed. I am having a hard time finding the right words. Alaba said that moments like this make you stronger. In moments like this it is difficult to accept anything because the disappointment is so great. It wasn’t my game today, I had it in my head at the end and there were some very unfortunate situations. It is so disappointing because so much could have been achieved.”
Vincenzo Montella (Turkey team manager): “I am very proud of the team and the team spirit they showed. It is fantastic to see that as a coach. Austria conceded very few goals and we still scored twice from set pieces. Things like that don’t happen if you don’t show great team spirit. I saw the heart of the Turks today, which makes me happy. We were heavily criticized after the friendlies, but as footballers we are very competitive. I wanted to change that result (the 1:6 in the test in Vienna in March), it was a big stain on my career.”
Because Günok (Turkey goalkeeper): “We are very happy, it is difficult to find words. It was a great victory, I thank everyone who supported us. We still have a long way to go and if it is God’s will, we will go all the way. That is what we believe in. This victory has taken us to the next level in terms of morale and confidence.”
Merih Demiral (Turkey double goalscorer): “The whole team played brilliantly. I am very happy and very proud. The whole team played a great game. If it is God’s will, it will continue like this. I thank everyone.”
