Bundesliga: WAC in the play-off final favorite against Austria

3: 2 and 5: 3 are the results of the season so far in favor of the Carinthians. To what extent another goal gala can be expected remains to be seen. “I do believe that there will be more of a tactical background. It’s like the start of the European Cup. You see that you create a decent starting position in the first game. For WAC it could be an away goal, for us it could be a win – ideally to zero, ”said Austria coach Peter Stöger.

The second leg will take place on Sunday (5 p.m.) in Wolfsberg, and the winner will be allowed to compete in the second qualifying round for the Conference League – the new third European Cup competition.

WAC trainer Stary knows Austria well

The WAC also considered competing at home first, as Roman Stary revealed. “We considered that. Because we made it easier away from home – for whatever reason, ”said the Lavanttaler coach. The fifth in the table won ten wins in 16 Bundesliga games away from home this season, compared to only three in front of a home crowd.

Stary was able to regenerate with his team on Monday, while eighth-placed Austria completed their play-off semi-finals in Hartberg and won them 3-0. The Wolfsberger coach saw strong Viennese. The former Kotrainer of Austria under Thomas Letsch (2018/19) also knows the starting position of the opponent well.

But Stary didn’t want to judge which team has more pressure to succeed. The 47-year-old admitted that there was certainly a bit of disappointment at the WAC. “We wanted to be third or fourth.” The 3-1 home defeat against Sturm Graz in front of future head coach Robin Dutt thwarted the leap past LASK.

Stöger can say goodbye successfully

On the day before the game, Stöger protested against the formulation that he could “save” the season. The club was also in the play-off final last year, after which the team saved “two or three million” again. “But we’re back in the fight for the European Cup ticket. The boys have already done well, ”said Stöger.

As with the 2013 championship title, the 55-year-old could say goodbye with a success. According to media reports, Markus Schopp and Manfred Schmid are shortlisted as successors. Manuel Ortlechner – in 2013 in Austria’s championship eleven – is to take over the post of sports director at Austria.

Austria hopes for fans and “momentum”

The violets should give wings to the 3,000 fans admitted to the Generali Arena. The cards went away within the subscribers. The mood will be better again after the clear success in Hartberg. The famous “momentum” may currently swing out for Austria, so Stöger. “It may be that we have an advantage in terms of happiness. But you have to bring that to the meadow first, ”he said.

Stöger once again praised the attitude of his team. “After a complex season, I very much agree with how we have always straightened up and the guys perform.” Also, it is not a matter of course that he can currently draw on the full. Austria has all players before the doubles. With a view to the program, Stöger has to be tactful. He won’t spare anyone, “but think about how we can best manage the games”.

The WAC is missing striker Thorsten Röcher, who was suspended for two games after his red foul against Sturm. Defender Gustav Henriksson is not ready for action after his head injury. Dario Vizinger was not released for the U21 European Championship, the attacker missed Croatia’s quarter-finals against Spain on Monday in Maribor.

Play-off final, first leg

Thursday, 7 p.m .:

Austria – WAC

Vienna, Generali Arena

Possible setups:

Austria: Pentz – Teigl, Schösswendter, Palmer-Brown, Suttner – Demaku, Martel – Wimmer, Fitz, Sarkaria – Djuricin

WAC: Kuttin – Novak, Baumgartner, Muharemovic, Scherzer – Taferner, Leitgeb, Liendl, Wernitznig – Vizinger, Joveljic

Second leg on Sunday (5 p.m.) in Wolfsberg – Winner in Conference League qualification (second round)