After a messed up season so far, Vienna Austria now has a trip to the “Ländle” waiting for them. The Violets have traditionally had a difficult time in Altach in the past, but on Sunday (2.30 p.m.) Michael Wimmer’s team is in danger of slipping further towards the bottom of the table. Austria only has tenth place with a meager five points after seven rounds. The start of the season can be described as unsuccessful.
The people of Altach, on the other hand, can be happy. Eight points have been collected so far under new head coach Joachim Standfest, which is twice as many as in the previous season at this point. If they won against Austria, the favorites would have already lost six points. The signs for this are not bad: Vorarlberg won eleven of their 15 Bundesliga victories against the Viennese in the Schnabelholz Stadium. Assistant coach Roman Wallner, who represented his ailing boss at the press conference on Friday, said: “We are not the table, but the starting position is the underdog. But Austria has the pressure.”
Conversations in different moods
There was once again a need for discussion at the Vienna distribution circle this week. In Hartberg, Austria lost the thread once again despite an early lead, and the 2-1 defeat increased the uncertainty in the Austria camp. “Of course we also used this week to analyze and get into the players’ heads. But I have a clear opinion on this: We can talk, talk, talk, in the end only a sense of success helps,” emphasized coach Wimmer before the trip to Altach. There is another “chance to overturn the so-called goat”.
In Altach people prefer to talk about the sporting upswing. There is currently no talk of the relegation battle of previous seasons. “When you are in a negative vortex, every meter becomes harder for you. We are currently self-confident and know what we can do. I think we’re in a good phase,” said midfielder Mike Bähre. With the exception of Csaba Bukta, who is recovering, all players are fit. The steadfast who was still missing on Friday should rejoin the team on Saturday.
Bundesliga, eighth round
Sunday, 2.30 p.m.:
Altach – Austria
Cashpoint-Arena, SR Gishamer
Possible setup:
Altach: Stojanovic – Fe. Strauss, L. Gugganig, Koller – Gebauer, Jäger, Fadinger, Bähre, Lukacevic – Santos, Nuhiu
Austria: Früchtl – Martins, Galvao, Meisl – Ranftl, Braunöder, Holland, Guenouche – Fitz – Gruber, Asllani
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