Austria Wien has been unbeaten for six games in a row, most recently Patrick Pentz and Co. lost 2022 points in the 1-1 draw against Rapid for the first time. They want to continue this series against Klagenfurt. Coach Manfred Schmid is also back after his coronavirus infection and is highly motivated. Schmid is eager to return to the sidelines, where assistant Cem Sekerlioglu stood in the derby. Despite twelve team players being absent, the international break was “very intense”, Schmid stated. “The players push themselves,” said the 51-year-old.
The past few days have also been intense for sports director Manuel Ortlechner, who, among other things, signed striker Haris Tabakovic from Austria Lustenau for the summer and continued the young path of Austria with the contract extensions of Can Keles, Dario Kreiker, Florian Wustinger and Dominik Fitz. “The fans are fully involved and identify with our path,” said Schmid, considering around 10,000 tickets had already been sold on Friday.
Sturm Graz wants to defend second place
As part of the games of the championship round in the Bundesliga, there is also a “pack derby”. Puntigammer Sturm Graz has to go to RZ Pellets WAC in Wolfsberg. It’s about defending second place in the table, and Grazer are counting on Jakob Jantscher in particular.
Schmid exuded self-confidence. “I think we’re going into this game as favorites and we want to continue the streak,” he said. “We really want to win, but to say it’s a must-win would be disrespectful. A very unpleasant opponent to play against. And we haven’t won against them that often,” said Schmid. Both games ended in a draw this season, 1-1 in the Generali Arena and 0-0 in Klagenfurt.
Master Group, 25th round
Sunday
Start 5 p.m.:
Austria – Klagenfurt
Generali Arena, SR Chias
Possible lineups:
Austria: Pentz – Martins, Mühl, Galvao, Suttner – Braunöder, Martel – Keles, Grünwald, Fischer – Djuricin
Klagenfurt: Menzel – Gkezos, Saravanja, N. Wimmer, Schumacher – Cvetko, Gemicibasi – Timossi Andersson, Greil, Jaritz – Pink
Pacult sees Klagenfurt challenged
For Klagenfurt coach Peter Pacult it is a meeting with a former player colleague. At the end of his active career, the 62-year-old played alongside Schmid in 1995/96 in the “Veilchen” outfit. “I always had to do the work,” the younger man recalled the time together. “That was his job too,” said the “old man” with no less a wink.
Horst Hrubesch got him back then as an extended hand on the field in order to follow a path that Austria is now taking. “Schmid was incredibly important for the team back then. And what he’s doing now as a coach is just great,” he said, throwing roses at his current opponent. And he only found praise. “I appreciate his open and honest manner, and we have a very lively exchange,” reported Schmid.
However, the two will not give each other gifts on Sunday. Pacult sees his squad challenged to take a step forward after two qualifying group defeats. “Most of the players haven’t seen a Bundesliga before. Of course you have to learn the lesson,” said Pacult after two 1-3 draws against Rapid and Sturm Graz. In addition, you are always confronted with new situations due to absences, which encourages mistakes. “And we can’t afford to keep up with the more experienced teams.”
WAC is aiming for the first win against Sturm Graz
Wolfsberger AC welcomes Strum Graz in the 25th round of the Admiral Bundesliga on Sunday (2:30 p.m.). After defeats against Wiener Austria and champions Salzburg, the Lavanttalers are aiming for their first win in the champions group. With three points, the fifth-placed Carinthians would draw level with Graz, second in the table, while the Styrians are trying to secure the place behind Salzburg.
So far, spring has not gone according to plan for the WAC. Salzburg lost the ÖFB Cup, and in the championship the Carinthians suffered four defeats and one win in five games. In the fight for the European Cup places, coach Robin Dutt’s team now wants to write again. The previous two season duels were clear affairs – each for the away team. While the Graz team triumphed 4-1 in Wolfsberg, the “Wolves” took revenge on Sturm with a 3-0 win.
Master Group, 25th round
Sunday
Start 5 p.m.:
WAC – Sturm
Lavanttal-Arena
Possible lineups:
WAC: Kofler – Dedic, Baumgartner, Lochoshvili, Novak – Peretz, Leitgeb, Liendl, Taferner – Röcher, Baribo
Sturm: Siebenhandl – Gazibegovic, Affengruber, Wüthrich, Dante – Gorenc-Stankovic – Hierländer, Sarkaria, Prass – Jantscher, Höjlund
“The game on Sunday is an extremely important one for us. We still remember the 3-0. Just like back then, we have to work well against the ball, be effective in the transition game and use our standard situations, Graz has problems with that,” said Dutt. Dutt isn’t concerned that the Carinthians would lose touch with second place if they lost at home. “We’re at the beginning of the championship group, so the teams will take away a lot of points from each other.”
Crucial phase of the championship
Similar to Wolfsberger, April is also a trend-setting month for Sturm. “We are now entering the decisive phase of the championship. In April we will meet the teams where the European Cup places are at stake,” said Sturm sports director Andreas Schicker, referring to the upcoming games against WAC, Austria Vienna, twice Rapid and Salzburg. The club relies all the more on the support of the fans on Sunday. “We hope that many Styrians will find their way via the Pack,” says Schicker.
Storm coach Christian Ilzer showed great respect for the WAC, but three points are still the goal. “We’re going to Lavanttal to win, a win would be a huge step in the right direction. Wolfsberg are an absolute top team with a very experienced squad and in the attacking third they are among the best teams in the league. That’s why we need all our strengths on the pitch to take three points.”
