Sporting director Manuel Ortlechner: "The last game in Graz (note: 2:3 defeat) was very bitter from our point of view. We are absolutely convinced that we have taken the right path with our way of playing, and I think the performances prove that. It takes a certain amount of time before it starts to take effect. We still have to defend with a different brutality and consistency because the style of play entails that and in the championship group small details decide."

Coach Michael Wimmer: "A tough task awaits us against Sturm, we need a super day. We will attack fully and press high. I am convinced that we are on the right track. The championship group shows what we are still lacking. We have to improve our consistency in the final third offensively and defensively to get more points. I am absolutely happy with the way we are going and with what the team is doing. I see the boys out on the pitch every day, working on themselves and marching. If we keep at it, eventually the results will come."

Personnel News

Doron Leidner has been back in training for around two weeks, has been able to complete all the sessions this week without pain and is therefore definitely a possibility again for Sunday. Can Keles (hand injury), Lucas Galvão (muscle fibre tear in the calf), as well as the four long-term injured Muki Husković, Ziad El Sheiwi, Florian Wustinger and Marko Raguž are still out.

Five games are still to be played in the championship group, Austria will play each opponent once more, three times at home, twice away. Since Thursday, tickets for all Austria matches are available in our fanshop, with the exception of the away match against Klagenfurt.

The table constellation promises suspense until the very end. Austria (5th, 19 points) play against their city rivals from Hütteldorf (4th, 21) and Klagenfurt (6th, 18) for the European Cup places. Fourth place entitles the team to participate in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The fifth-placed team will play in the national Bundesliga play-off after the last round in a first and second leg (8 & 11 June) against the winner of the seventh vs. eighth tie. The winner of this play-off then advances to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League in the summer.