Marcel Sabitzer
DortmundLW
Wide Forward
Mar 17, 1994 (32)
Right
5'10"
168 lb
Scores vs. Algeria
Sabitzer scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), six crosses (three accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 3-3 draw versus Algeria.
Analysis: Sabitzer had been one of the most active attacking players for Austria in the first two matches against Jordan and Argentina, and he was rewarded with a goal in this one. The Dortmund playmaker tends to be one of the first names on the team sheet, and that shouldn't change ahead of a difficult Round of 32 matchup against Spain on Thursday. Through three starts, Sabitzer has one goal, five shots, three chances created, 24 crosses and nine corners taken.
Registers most crosses
Sabitzer had three shots (one on goal), eight crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Monday's 2-0 loss versus Argentina.
Analysis: Sabitzer was Austria's primary creative outlet and produced a team-high eight crosses while also registering three shots. He covered over nine kilometers and was assigned to press Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo De Paul. Sabitzer also contributed defensively with a tackle and an interception.
Corners make differences
Sabitzer logged one shot (zero on goal), 10 crosses (two accurate) and four corners during Austria's 3-1 win Tuesday against Jordan. He also recorded a yellow card in the game's 77th minute.
Analysis: Though not Austria's captain (that being David Alaba) against Jordan, Sabitzer led his team offensively. He logged more than half of Austria's total and accurate crosses, 17 and three respectively. Sabitzer attempted all of Austria's corners, each from the left side, and they were the difference-maker against Jordan. During the 68th minute, Sabitzer attempted a corner, temporarily resulting in Austria's second goal. But after much pressuring from Jordan players for VAR, the goal was ruled out because of a prior handball by Stefan Posch. This is important for later, as eight minutes afterward, Sabitzer attempted another corner, and that effort resulted in an own goal by Yazan Al-Arab. Sabitzer subsequently argued with Jordan defenders, which is how he logged his yellow card. Sabitzer will have to be careful moving forward, but he enters Group J's remaining games with positive momentum nonetheless.
Ready to captain Austria
Sabitzer has been named in Austria's World Cup squad and is expected to captain the side and be a key midfield figure throughout the competition under manager Ralf Rangnick.
Analysis: Sabitzer ended the season having made 26 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Dortmund, contributing one goal and two assists across 1,823 minutes, with manager Rangnick valuing his defensive work rate and pressing intensity over goal output. The veteran brings vast experience of the highest levels of European football, having played at three European Championships before this first World Cup, and his combination of intelligence, physicality and leadership makes him the natural captain of this Austrian generation. Sabitzer heads into the tournament as the heartbeat of a squad coach Rangnick has spent four years building into one of the most tactically coherent sides in European football.
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