Sabitzer to miss Austria's final Euro 2024 warm-up friendly due to mental exhaustion
| Photo: Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 4.0 |
Marcel Sabitzer will not be available when Austria face Switzerland in their final warm-up friendly before Euro 2024 on Saturday.
Sitting alongside Austria coach Ralf Rangnick at a press conference on Friday, Sabitzer explained that he still needs some time to get over Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
"We are professional athletes, but we are also human beings. You can't hide or suppress your feelings. Anyone who saw me after the game knows what it did to me," said Sabitzer.
"I was very disappointed and had a lot of short nights. The images kept coming back and that's why it makes no sense for me to be there," he added.
The BVB midfielder made the decision in consultation with coach Ralf Rangnick, who was very understanding.
"I'm in the process of coming to terms with it. You don't have to worry about me at the European Championship. I'm still looking forward to the final test and will of course be travelling with the team and supporting them. The last test is very important for us as a team," said Sabitzer.
Austria play their first game at the Euros against France on June 17.