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11.02.2022
Maturity test in key match at Altach
On Saturday at 5:00 p.m., the Veilchen start the final phase of the basic round in Altach: "It will be exciting to see how far our young team has come. The game is a test of maturity. I am optimistic that the boys are well prepared to achieve our goal," says coach Manfred Schmid.
(c) GEPA
Four rounds before the end of the basic round, the championship group is within reach for Austria. The Violets are three points behind both Ried (direct duel went to Violett) and the city rivals (direct duel draw, Austria has the better goal difference). Fourth-placed Austria Klagenfurt is four points ahead.
"The match in Altach is a key game. Each of the last four games is very important and we want to start with a sense of achievement. We can improve our starting position every week," Manfred Schmid emphasizes.
The preparation has not been without problems due to the many absences, but the winter break could nevertheless be used well:
"We have grown even closer together as a team." - Manfred Schmid
"The atmosphere is excellent. The training camp was good for the lads, we have grown even closer together as a team and all the players have pulled together with great intensity," says the Austria coach.
Altach's opponents have made a lot of changes in the winter, with seven players joining and seven leaving the club, including Christoph Monschein on loan from LASK. Ludovic Magnin (formerly with Bremen and Stuttgart, among others) replaced Damir Canadi on the bench: "Altach will play quite differently than in the fall. However, we will primarily concentrate on playing our own game," explains Schmid.
Personnel news
Marco Djuricin (recovering from injury-related adductor complaints), Muharem Huskovic (muscular problems in the rear thigh), Dominik Fitz (recovering from plate removal surgery) and Ziad El Sheiwi (cruciate ligament tear) will be absent for the away match in Altach.
A use of defensive newcomer Lucas Galvão is questionable due to the still missing match permission. Martin Pečar will gain match practice with the Young Violets on Friday: "He hasn't played a match for a long time, we want to develop him carefully," says coach Manfred Schmid. Lorenzo Coco is planned to play for the Young Violets anyway.