A “mentally drained” Daniel Bachmann believes that “pride will override everything” once the disappointment subsides after Austria’s Euro 2020 adventure ended with a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Italy at Wembley.

The Watford goalkeeper made his fourth outing in the finals as the Austrians held their more fancied opponents to a goalless draw at the end of 90 minutes in the last-16 tie, having threatened to cause a major shock in the second half when Marko Arnautovic scored only for his header to be ruled out by VAR.

Goals from Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina saw the Italians take control in the first half of extra-time, but the Austrians refused to lie down and gave themselves hope when Sasa Kalajdzic halved the deficit in the second period.

Reflecting on his country’s exit from the tournament, Bachmann wrote on social media: “I’m mentally drained. I don’t know where to begin. It still hurts a lot this morning. We came so close to write even more history in a game absolutely no one gave us a chance. The fight, the desire, the willpower and everything on top of that by every single player yesterday shows what a team we are.

“With 5 minutes to go in extra time and 2 goals down not a single player thought it was over. We believed!! It wasn’t to be in the end but I’m sure once the disappointment goes further away the pride will override everything!

“Finally, thanks for your support from Austria through these past 4 weeks and hopefully you can make the stadiums red and white at the next World Cup for us DB.”

 

Italy began with style and confidence, and probed early as the impressive left wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola shot off-target, while Lorenzo Insigne fired straight at Daniel Bachmann.

The Hornets keeper was tested more sternly in the 17th minute as he made a top-class save to keep out Nicolo Barella’s shot with his feet as the Austrians continued to live dangerously.

The Azzuri continued to press and they came even closer to taking the lead just after the half-hour when Ciro Immobile almost scored a memorable goal.

The Lazio striker was afforded space on the edge of the box and sent a swerving effort that just did not dip enough, cannoning off the angle of post and crossbar and to safety, much to the relief of Bachmann.

Italy’s defence had not been breached since October, but Austria had their moments on the break in the first half and enjoyed their best spell of the match straight after the restart.

Watford Observer:

The Watford keeper saves Nicolo Barella’s shot. Picture: Action Images

Former West Ham striker Arnautovic surged into the box after Italy were robbed of possession but he chose to shoot when team-mates were waiting for a pull-back.

Then David Alaba had a great chance from a free-kick just outside the area, but he could not get his shot up and down over the wall in time and it went just over the crossbar.

It looked as though they had got their reward just after the hour-mark as Arnautovic nodded home Alaba’s header at the far post. However, VAR Stuart Attwell ruled it out as Arnautovic was marginally offside.

Austria continued to be the better side but they could not create anything clear-cut while Italy also looked lost for ideas, appearing tired and flat as the game ended goalless after 90 minutes.

Italy regained their verve in the additional period and needed only five minutes to go ahead.

Spinazzola picked out Chiesa at the far post and the Juventus forward cut back inside to his left foot and then fired a low effort across goal into the bottom corner.

Their passage to the last eight was sealed in the final moments of the first half of extra-time as Francesco Acerbi held the ball up in the penalty area and teed up Pessina to convert with another smart finish.

Italy finally did concede in the 113th minute, for the first time since a friendly with Holland in October when Kalajdzic squeezed a header in at the near post from a corner, but Austria could not find an equaliser.