Austria coach Ralf Rangnick recognized that his side are the underdogs against title holders Argentina and that they're playing "against all odds" when they face the South Americans in the World Cup.
But the Austrians hope to use their collective strength to stop the exceptional Lionel Messi in the second group stage match on Monday.
"And of course, with Messi, they probably have the best player who has ever lived, and we have to show that we're one of the best teams at this World Cup," Rangnick said in a news conference on Sunday.
To pull off an upset, Austria might even need "the best performance we've shown so far during my tenure."
But Rangnick believes that a draw - and even a victory - is possible.
"Because we're still talking about a team sport, and we have the opportunity to influence the outcome through our own performance, our strategy, our style of play, combined with the necessary energy and courage to turn the game in our favour And that's what will make the difference," he said.
Austria and Argentina both won their respective opening matches. Argentina top the Group J standings ahead of Austria on goal difference.
