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Austria-WAC
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11.03.2022
A mood of optimism at the start of the playoff
A week after the Violets celebrated their entry into the championship group together with more than 4,000 Austria fans in the purple Südstadt, the Violets want to build on the last few weeks in the first match of the final round in the members' home game against WAC: "Our fans have carried us into the championship group, we can only thank them for their support. It's really fun. We're already looking forward to the atmosphere on Sunday," emphasizes coach Manfred Schmid.
(c) GEPA
The last time Austria won four matches in a row in the Bundesliga was in October 2016, and the last time they won four matches at the start of the calendar year was in 2013. Ten final matches for the European Cup places will now follow. The last duel with WAC in Vienna-Favoriten two weeks ago will be well remembered by most of the Violets, Austria won 1-0 after a dramatic game.
"WAC has a very good team, Robin Dutt has built the team very well. I expect another close game. But we have shown that we are difficult to play for any team, defensively we always allow little. That's why I'm confident that we'll play a good role in the champions' group," says Manfred Schmid.
Our goal
There are just three points between second and sixth place after the points were shared. Wolfsberg is two points ahead of Austria in third place.
"We decided to work out our goals together with the team in a group effort. In the end, we defined a clear goal internally. That we want to go to Europe is clear. We have achieved something great that no one would have believed us capable of, but now we want more," described the Austria coach.
Personnel news: "Offensively, many possible variants"
Manfred Fischer missed Friday's training session due to a gastrointestinal illness, and his use on Sunday is questionable. In return, Johannes Handl and Aleksandar Jukic are back in full team training. Lukas Mühl (suspended), Leo Ivkic (ill), Ziad El Sheiwi and Florian Wustinger (both injured) are not available on Sunday.
"In the offense, we have more options overall. Muki Huskovic is back, Marco Djuricin has also trained well, Ohio is in better shape in the spring than in the fall. Alex Grünwald is capable of scoring goals and puts in top performances. This results in many possible variations in the offense," explains coach Manfred Schmid.