On Sunday (5:00 pm), the Violets welcome their city rivals for the 344th Vienna derby. Today's derby preview was held together with SK Rapid at Vienna City Hall. Head coach Stephan Helm and CFO Harald Zagiczek were on the podium for the Violets, both of whom pleaded for a new awareness of sporting rivalry. The coach believes his team is well prepared for the top match: ‘A derby is the salt in the soup for all Viennese football fans. We want to be courageous, active and smart!’

Trainer Stephan Helm on ...

... Rapid:
‘Sunday is an absolute top match. The sporting rivalry between Austria and Rapid is the salt in the soup for all fans. Apart from the long-term injuries, we have everyone available. The training week was long, we have to push ourselves to the limit to beat a good opponent on a sporting level. We know the strengths of Rapid, a very well-organised team with clear processes. I wouldn't put too much stock in their defeat against the WAC in the last round. But we trust in our strengths and can build on a good basis. We want to be courageous, active and clever. That's what has characterised us for long stretches of the championship so far.’

... a possible home advantage:
‘For us, it's basically a nice thing that the stadium will be completely violet. Nevertheless, I think it would be ideal if there were also visiting fans in the stadium. We've received outstanding support from our fans in the stands so far, even when we've lost or been behind. The connection between our fans and the team is something special. They can unleash a wave that can carry us.’

Chief Financial Officer Harald Zagiczek on ...

... a new awareness of sporting rivalry:
‘The Vienna derby is a cultural asset. We have entered into a dialogue with SK Rapid in order to come to terms with the events of the last derby. Of course it hurts us that the next four derbies will have to take place without visiting fans, but safety is now our top priority. Together with SK Rapid, we have founded a working group within which we have been exchanging information regularly for some time now. To put it bluntly: it's important that the death-and-hate mentality is discarded. Both clubs stand up for themselves and represent their colours. Vienna is big enough for two clubs that compete with each other. I've never stuck by Rapid in my life, but I have friendships with many Rapid players. There is always respect and a basis for dialogue. I think you can also replicate that with the fans. There's no point in discrediting each other. Rivalry yes, enmity and hatred no!’

... the exchange with our own fans:
‘Of course it's painful when you don't have opposing fans in your own stadium. That's the salt in the soup. We are now trying to improve certain things in a long-term process and to stop the negative mentality. That doesn't make your own club stronger. We are doing fan work and are in close communication. I believe that together we can change things for the better. There is a mutual exchange of information with Rapid if things come to a boil in the future. In total, we've met with Rapid officials three times so far. But the most important thing is the cooperation and dialogue with our own fans.’

... the upcoming stadium sale:
‘It is known that FK Austria Wien AG would like to sell the stadium as part of a refinancing process. We have approached a number of investors. As was reported in the media, we are now in the process of negotiating with the City of Vienna. This brings advantages for both sides, especially as the land is owned by the city. We are currently in a review process.’

... the awarding of the licence for the 2025/2026 season:
‘We will disclose our figures to the league and are confident that we will receive positive feedback and the licence in the first instance in a timely manner. I can't say any more than that at the moment.’