“We will only give up when it is no longer mathematically possible. There are still four games left and we can win any of them,” Lustenau coach Andreas Heraf recently made clear after the bitter 1:2 against WAC.
The fact that the lack of luck that led to Heraf’s misery, among other things, showing up at the end of the season would be a small miracle. A defeat would already seal relegation if BW Linz were to draw.
Decision day for Lustenau
Austria Lustenau has only won two of 28 games this season. If the Vorarlbergers want to avoid relegation, they have to win the match against WSG Tirol on Saturday.
Sincerely, Respect
“The Tyroleans have a seasoned and robust team,” said Heraf about the opponent whom Lustenau defeated 2-1 under his aegis in February. As in the fall, there was a victory for the Tyroleans in the qualifying group, who have now been unbeaten in four home games.
Schedule and table
Bundesliga, 29th round
Start at 5 p.m.:
Tyrol – Lustenau
Tivoli Stadium Tirol, SR Spurny
Possible lineups:
WSG: Stejskal – Sulzbacher, Bacher, Okungbowa, D. Gugganig, Geris – Taferner, Müller, Ogrinec – Prelec, Diarra
Lustenau: Schierl – Anderson, Boateng, Maak, Berger – Grabher, Chato, Gorzel – Bobzien, Cisse, Fridrikas
“The WSG doesn’t allow much and has good strikers. It is important to have this under control. There will be opportunities on both sides. It will be an open game,” said Heraf, who can again rely on captain Matthias Maak.
WSG seeks decision
The WSG was the more dangerous team in the 1-0 win against Wiener Austria at home on Tuesday and wants to reward itself for its good performances so far in the qualifying group by staying in the league early. “We can and will cross the finish line and secure relegation in a direct duel. Staying in the league is always cool, but when it’s in your own hands, it’s even cooler,” clarified coach Thomas Silberberger, who left in the summer. He gave no indication of any doubts. “It’s definitely a chore.”
About a month ago, things were much more delicate. The WSG was only two points ahead of the Lustenauers after the first round of the qualifying group, but achieved a kind of preliminary decision with the 2-1 win against the Vorarlbergers.
“Somehow we played a great qualifying round. If I remember the press conference before Austria Lustenau, we said that if we lost to Lustenau, we would be last. Now we can cross the finish line with one point.”
Bundesliga, 29th round
Start at 5 p.m.:
WAC – BW Linz
Lavanttal-Arena, SR Ciochirca
Possible lineups:
WAC: Gütlbauer – Diabate, Omic, Baumgartner – Veratschnig, Tijani, Leitgeb, Scherzer – Jasic – Ballo, Boakye
BW Linz: Schmid – Pasic, Maranda, Strauss – S. Seidl, Haudum, Briedl, Pirkl – Mensah, Ronivaldo, Noß
“Good feeling” at BW Linz
Newly promoted BW Linz could also finally chase away the specter of relegation in Wolfsberg. “We have a great chance there to secure relegation. After the long-awaited home win (2:1 against Altach, note) we are now going to Wolfsberg with a very good feeling,” said BW coach Gerald Scheiblehner. The lead over bottom of the table Lustenau is eight points four games before the end of the season, which is why the Linzers are dependent on help from the WSG against the Vorarlbergers.
In any case, the Linzers gave the motto “Take it up at the WAC”. Defender Manuel Maranda emphasized that the win against Altach thanks to a Ronivaldo brace gave them a lot of self-confidence. At the WAC, the Linzers want to play their game, create lots of chances and be aggressive. “Then hopefully we can get the next win,” said Maranda.
Scheiblehner expects Wolfsberger, who are under pressure. “Because their goal this season is to compete in an international competition next year,” said the coach. The second-placed WAC also celebrated their first win in the qualifying group with a 2-1 win against Lustenauer on Tuesday.
