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05.12.2025
Helm ahead of Wolfsberg: “Chance for a good starting position”
Before the 16th round, the ADMIRAL Bundesliga is more balanced than it has been for a long time: Austria Vienna is only three points behind the top of the table and at the same time only two points ahead of seventh-placed WAC. On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., the Violets are guests in Wolfsberg. For coach Stephan Helm, the close table constellation offers a special opportunity: “In recent years, the top teams usually had well over 30 points at this point – this year, they are spread across several teams. That's exactly where our opportunity lies: we can now work our way into a strong starting position.”
© GEPA
No one at Austria Vienna could be satisfied with their performance after the 0-0 draw against WSG Tirol. "Basically, we can't be satisfied with a draw at home against WSG Tirol. Neither the players nor us as the coaching team were impressed with the performance. It's important for us not to sell ourselves short. In the first half, we often looked for the wrong solutions, then later for the right ones – but we lacked the necessary precision," explains coach Stephan Helm.
Things haven't been going well for WAC either recently. Wolfsberg have already had two coaching changes this season: first Dietmar Kühbauer moved to LASK, then Peter Pacult was released after only five games. Ismail Atalan has been on the sidelines since November 12. The 45-year-old coached SV Kapfenberg until the summer, but WAC suffered defeats in his first two Bundesliga games against Ried and Altach.
Coach Stephan Helm nevertheless expects a courageous opponent: “He has already brought his ideas to the table, they will be active and courageous – but that's nothing unusual in our league, we're prepared for that. WAC has a team with a lot of experience. We have to play with determination and conviction – then I'm sure we can take something away with us.”
Sanel Šaljić returned to team training last week after his injury and would normally be an option for the squad again. However, the 20-year-old homegrown player is currently out with illness and is doubtful for Sunday. The same applies to Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who recently played in the U17 World Cup, and Konstantin Aleksa.
Coach Stephan Helm has to reshuffle his offense due to serious injuries to Noah Botić (broken ankle) and Manprit Sarkaria (torn cruciate ligament). “All the players in our squad have our trust, so we have several good options for the attack,” emphasizes the Austria coach.