Republic of Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium on Thursday evening looking to build on an impressive response to their opening UEFA Nations League defeat.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side followed a disappointing 1-0 loss in Kosovo by beating Israel 3-0 in Debrecen, with all three goals arriving during an excellent first-half performance. Austria, meanwhile, have made a perfect start to League B Group 3, recording identical 3-1 victories over Israel and Kosovo.

Ralf Rangnick’s team therefore arrive in Dublin with six points and an opportunity to take firm control of the section, but Ireland have developed an impressive record at the Aviva Stadium and have not lost there for more than a year.

Ireland’s home improvement offers genuine encouragement

The contrast between Ireland’s opening two Nations League performances could hardly have been greater. Against Kosovo, Hallgrímsson’s side struggled badly in possession, created little and managed only one shot on target in a 1-0 defeat that immediately placed pressure on their second fixture.

Three days later, Ireland looked like a different team. Troy Parrott opened the scoring against Israel before Adam Idah doubled the advantage, and Jack Moylan made it 3-0 before half-time. Ireland then managed the second period professionally to collect their first three points of the campaign.

For Hallgrímsson, the attacking efficiency was particularly encouraging. Ireland have too often struggled to turn competitive performances into goals, but Parrott’s emergence as a reliable international scorer is beginning to change the picture.

The Real Betis striker has now scored seven goals in his last five competitive internationals. That run stretches back to the dramatic conclusion of World Cup qualifying and has established Parrott as Ireland’s most important attacking player. His movement has improved, his confidence is obvious and he is increasingly capable of producing goals without Ireland needing to dominate possession.

Moylan is developing an intriguing international story of his own. His goal against Israel was his fourth in as many appearances for Ireland, giving Hallgrímsson another attacking option at a time when his squad has been significantly weakened by injuries.

Evan Ferguson, Mikey Johnston and Jamie McGrath are among those unavailable, while Josh Cullen and Jack Taylor are missing from midfield. Captain Nathan Collins is also absent, as is former skipper Séamus Coleman.

That makes the current international window as much a test of Ireland’s depth as their quality. Bosun Lawal has now joined the squad following a hamstring problem, but Hallgrímsson confirmed on Wednesday that the Stoke midfielder is not yet ready to play. His presence is primarily about continuing his rehabilitation while reintegrating with the national team.

There is better news in goal. Bazunu is back with the group and available against Austria, although Kelleher should retain his place after keeping a clean sheet in Debrecen.

Ireland’s greatest source of confidence, however, may be the venue. They are unbeaten in their last eight home internationals, winning five and drawing three. More impressively, they have kept four consecutive clean sheets at the Aviva Stadium.

That sequence includes a 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Portugal, demonstrating that Ireland’s improved home record has not simply been accumulated against modest opposition. Austria represent another substantial examination.

Ireland cannot expect to have long spells of comfortable possession against Rangnick’s pressing system, so their ability to play through pressure will be crucial. Jason Knight and Jayson Molumby could have particularly demanding evenings in central midfield.

There will also be opportunities if Ireland can break that first Austrian press. Rangnick wants his team to defend aggressively and high up the pitch. If Ireland can find Parrott, Ogbene or Moylan beyond the initial pressure, the visitors can be exposed before their defensive structure recovers. It is a tactical challenge very different from the one Ireland faced on Sunday.

Austria’s perfect start underlines their promotion credentials

Austria could hardly have made a better start to their attempt to return to League A. Two matches have produced two 3-1 victories, six goals and six points. Their opening game against Israel was more difficult than the final score suggested, with Rangnick’s team requiring two late goals to make the result comfortable. Against Kosovo on Sunday, however, Austria were much more convincing.

They led 3-0 by the hour mark and were able to control the remainder of the match despite conceding later. The numbers behind their opening two fixtures are impressive. Austria have registered 15 shots on target in the competition. Ireland, by comparison, have attempted only 12 shots of any kind.

That illustrates the attacking intensity Rangnick’s side can generate. Austria’s approach has become familiar during his tenure: aggressive pressing, quick vertical passing and a willingness to commit numbers forward as soon as possession is recovered. It helped them reach the knockout stage of this summer’s World Cup and has carried directly into the Nations League. Their objective is promotion.

Austria narrowly missed out two years ago after finishing second in their League B group and then losing their promotion playoff against Serbia. Six points from the opening two rounds have already given them an opportunity to establish control this time.

Rangnick does have personnel problems in Dublin. Danso is suspended, forcing a change in central defence, while Wanner and Veratschnig both picked up injuries against Kosovo and returned to their clubs. Michael Gregoritsch is another doubt after suffering an ankle problem earlier in the international window.

There is greater encouragement surrounding Laimer. The Bayern Munich midfielder has been recovering from an adductor injury and is now available for consideration, giving Rangnick an important option because of his ability to operate both in midfield and at full-back.

David Alaba was not selected for this international period, while Marcel Sabitzer is taking a break from national-team duty. Austria consequently look different from the side that has carried much of Rangnick’s tenure, but the depth underneath those established names has become increasingly impressive.

Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager give them energy and control in midfield, while Romano Schmid has started this Nations League campaign particularly well. Schmid has created six chances across Austria’s opening two fixtures, more than any other player in Group B3.

Patrick Wimmer provides direct running from attacking midfield, while Junior Adamu is a strong candidate to lead the line if Gregoritsch is not considered ready.

Austria also have history on their side. Ireland have beaten them only once in the last 10 meetings between the nations, with Austria winning six and drawing three. The visitors are also unbeaten on their last five trips to Ireland.

Their most recent meeting came during qualification for the 2018 World Cup, when Martin Hinteregger put Austria ahead in Dublin before Jonathan Walters rescued a 1-1 draw for Ireland late on. Nearly a decade later, the teams meet in very different circumstances.

Austria have become an established tournament side under Rangnick, while Ireland are still attempting to turn gradual improvement under Hallgrímsson into consistent results. Thursday should provide a useful measure of exactly how far the hosts have progressed.

Verdict

Austria’s opening two victories establish them as the team to catch in Group B3, and their attacking numbers demonstrate why.

Rangnick’s side press aggressively, create chances regularly and have already scored six goals despite missing several established players.

Ireland should provide a much more difficult test than either of Austria’s first two opponents. Hallgrímsson’s side are unbeaten in eight matches at the Aviva Stadium and have kept four successive home clean sheets. Parrott is also enjoying an exceptional period in front of goal, while Moylan’s emergence has given Ireland another unexpected attacking weapon.

The hosts’ lengthy absentee list remains a concern, particularly against an Austrian team capable of maintaining a high tempo. But Ireland’s recent record in Dublin cannot be ignored. They have already shown they can frustrate and beat strong international opposition there, and confidence should have been restored by Sunday’s emphatic response in Debrecen. Austria may have to settle for their first dropped points of the campaign.

Tip: Draw