The WAC has been waiting for a complete success for five league games, with only two goals scored. At least there was only one defeat (0:4 at Sturm Graz). “We are very compact and very stable at the moment and have kept two clean sheets. Of course we would have preferred to win more often,” said coach Manfred Schmid before the game against his former club.
The season’s balance against Austria currently speaks in favor of Wolfsberger with one win and one draw. Nevertheless, Schmid sees the WAC as an “underdog”. “It’s the only duel in the qualifying group where we don’t go into the game as favorites. I’m really looking forward to it because it’s a game with two teams that want to be more offensive.”
Schedule and table
Bundesliga, 26th round
Saturday, 5 p.m.:
WAC – Austria Vienna
Wolfsberg, Lavanttal-Arena, SR Gishamer
Possible lineups:
WAC: Bonmann – Veratschnig, Diabate, Baumgartner, Scherzer – Jasic, Leitgeb, Tijani – Sabitzer, Röcher, Ballo
Austria: Früchtl – Handl, Martins, Galvao – Ranftl, Wels, Holland, Guenouche – Gruber, Fitz, Vucic
Personnel problems on both sides
The coach also has to do without the injured Augustine Boakye, and the injured Sandro Altunashvili is also questionable after a “horse kiss” against Blau-Weiß Linz. “These are key players for us. Sandro stopped training yesterday, today he trained individually. Let’s see if it works out.”
How often Hendrik Bonmann still guards the Carinthian goal remains to be seen. “He has the promise that he will get games. He will be in goal. We’ll see how many there are,” said Schmid, who will rely on goalie Lukas Gütlbauer next season. Most recently in Linz, Bonmann was between the posts again. The services of U21 team player Thierno Ballo were secured for the coming season, whose contract option was redeemed.
The “Veilchen” travel to Lavanttal weakened. Personnel concerns have been plaguing Michael Wimmer all season long; in addition to the long-term injuries, the coach has had to suspend his regulars Manfred Fischer and Frans Krätzig because of a yellow card suspension. Moritz Wels could have another chance in midfield after his yellow-red ban expires. “We have several variants. Since the WAC has always played with a back four, in my opinion it would also be a good fit to play with just one six,” explained Wimmer.
GEPA/Christian Moser Austria coach Michael Wimmer will decide on his starting lineup at short notice
Huskovic’s use not ruled out
Muharem Huskovic, who suffered a fractured nose in an attack on Monday, has been training again with a special mask since Thursday. “He trained normally, so I assume that he can definitely be in the squad on Saturday,” said Wimmer. Marvin Potzmann and Fisnik Asllani are expected to return to the squad soon; both are back in team training.
After the unsatisfactory games in the qualifying group, the league leaders now want to perform differently. “It will be important that we show a certain amount of looseness and enthusiasm again and play football with power,” said Wimmer, who has great respect for the WAC. “I’m sure they’ll rely on their strengths in the transition game again – they simply have a lot of speed up front that we have to watch out for.”
2024-04-13 10:41:50
#Bundesliga #WAC #Austria #duel #top
