Helm: “We can adapt flexibly in all phases of the game”

Following their 2-5 home defeat to Sturm Graz in their opening match, the Veilchen secured their first win in their second match of the championship group with a 1-0 away victory against Hartberg: “It was extremely important to get off the mark in the championship group – all the more so because we also put in a very good performance for long stretches of the first match against Sturm and actually let three points slip away – in Hartberg, we were rewarded for our efforts, which gives everyone a positive feeling,” explains Coach Helm.

“What has set us apart all season is our ability to adapt flexibly in every phase of the game. This will be a strength that will allow us to gain the upper hand time and again in our upcoming matches.”

It’s been almost exactly a month since our last clash with LASK; at the Generali Arena, Austria came from behind twice to draw 2–2 and ultimately take a point from that top-of-the-table clash: “It was a top-class Bundesliga match in which we did a lot of things well, but from which we can still learn a few lessons about what we can do better,” says Stephan Helm.

Tin Plavotić and Abu Barry are back in the squad following their suspensions. Sanel Šaljić, who missed the last four matches with a thigh injury, is also back in contention for selection, as is striker Kelvin Boateng, who suffered a broken metacarpal during the away match at Altach on 21 February and is now fully fit again.