“Looking closely at what we can do even better”

The Violets got their spring season off to a perfect start with 2-0 wins in Salzburg and in the home derby. The day after the celebrated derby victory, our team, under the guidance of the coaching staff, began meticulous preparations for the next important game in Altach:

“We analyze every game self-critically. We take the positive aspects from the derby with us, but at the same time we look very closely at what we can do even better. The very next day, our full focus is already on the next weekend,” explains coach Stephan Helm.

“Full focus on our training to improve”

With two wins at the start of the season, Austria has jumped to third place in a very close Bundesliga and is now only one point behind leaders FC Red Bull Salzburg. With three rounds to go before the end of the regular season, they are six points ahead of their city rivals in seventh place, and the direct duel in the derby also clearly goes to the Violets with two wins.

"The league format and the enormous balance in the league make for great excitement – we have a lot of experience in the coaching team and in the squad and can handle it well. In such a close league, it is all the more important that we concentrate on our performance and our style of play week after week. Our focus is on our training, we are constantly looking at how we can improve," says the Austria coach.

Altach in good form with new coach

Opponents Altach have had a new coach since the beginning of January in Ognjen Zarić, as Fabio Ingolitsch was poached by Sturm Graz. Zarić previously worked at FC Winterthur in the Swiss Super League and has made a good start in Vorarlberg. The Vorarlberg team started off by beating Sturm Graz (3-1 a.e.t.) in the cup quarterfinals, and in the Bundesliga, Altach is still unbeaten in the new year after games against Blau Weiß Linz (1-0) and Hartberg (0-0) and is in eighth place, within striking distance of the top six.

“Altach is well ahead in the form table, we have to perform at our best to win there. Altach currently concedes few shots on goal, is stable and well structured,” explains Stephan Helm.

Philipp Wiesinger, who was suspended for the spring opener in Salzburg, returned to his regular position on the right of the back three in the derby and is hoping for another win in Altach: "The league is very tight, and week after week it shows that anything can happen in every game. We always have to give 100 percent to get something out of it. I think Altach will play with compact midfield pressing, so we'll have to be patient. We want to pick up where we left off in the last few games and get the next three points to cement our place at the top.