There will be no “non-aggression pact” like the one at the 1982 World Cup between Austria and Germany in Gijon, promised Rapid coach Robert Klauß. “We’re going out to win. I’ve never said to my team, today we’re trying to get a point.” Pacult expressed himself similarly: “You’re an athlete to win, not to be there somewhere.”
According to the protest committee’s ruling, Rapids goalie Niklas Hedl is eligible to play, but the suspended Guido Burgstaller, Thorsten Schick, Maximilian Hofmann, Terence Kongolo and Marco Grüll are missing. The latter might not have been able to play anyway due to illness.
Schedule and table
Bundesliga, 22nd round
Sunday, 5 p.m.:
Austria Klagenfurt – Rapid
28 Black Arena, SR Ebner
Possible lineups:
Klagenfurt: Menzel – Bonnah, Gkezos, Mahrer, Wimmer, Schumacher – Irving, Benatelli, Cvetko – Schwarz, Binder
Rapid: Hedl – Kasanwirjo, Querfeld, Sollbauer, Auer – Sattlberger, Grgic – Lang, Seidl, Jansson – Mayulu
Rapid, despite the suspension, in good spirits
Klauß also sees the many failures as an opportunity for kickers who have recently been a bit offside. “We have good energy in the group. Now others get their chance, I hope they take advantage of it.” Due to the many changes, it could be “that one or two processes don’t fit well. But I’m not afraid or unsure, I’m more excited to see what the boys can show. We still have enough players who know our processes,” explained the coach. “The suspensions hurt, but we just saw what the new guys we brought in could give us.”
Sports director Markus Katzer was also in good spirits. “We have complete confidence in the players who are now coming off the bench. I am fully convinced that we will clear everything up and end up in the top six.” However, Rapid lost the last two games against the Klagenfurt team, who have impressed with their callousness so far this season. “We have to be awake,” warned Klauss. “This is an opponent who is efficient and calm.”
Pacult sees Rapid under more pressure
For the fourth-placed Klagenfurt team, who are one point ahead of sixth-placed Rapid, it is about their third championship group participation in a row. Pacult does not see Hütteldorfer’s staffing concerns as an advantage for his team, even if “they will of course miss Burgstaller and Grüll. But we are also missing Sinan Karweina and Florian Jaritz, and we play with two boys up front,” said Pacult, referring to the 22-year-old Nicolas Binder, who was bought from Rapid, and the 19-year-old Aaron Sky Schwarz, who was loaned out from Rapid.
GEPA/Chris Bauer Klagenfurt coach Peter Pacult, like his counterpart Robert Klauß, has to do without two important offensive players
Pacult sees Rapid under greater pressure to act. “For the simple reason that they have to be in the top six. But pressure back and forth, the moment the players go on the pitch, none of them think about any scenarios anymore, they want to play football.”
2024-03-10 09:30:25
#Bundesliga #Klagenfurt #Rapid #play #draw
