Preview of the away game in Altach

Austria Vienna visit SCR Altach on Saturday (2:30 p.m.) to kick off the final round. The goal of participating in the European Cup remains the same in the qualifying group, but the Violets will be warned against the Vorarlberg side. Luca Pazourek returns to the squad.

"Of course there was disappointment and frustration at the beginning that we missed out on the championship group", admits coach Michael Wimmer. But the direction and the development are right: "We've picked up 27 points in the last 13 games, are the second-best team in the second half of the season in the basic round and have picked up twelve points from the five games in the spring. I don't think you can blame the team for not trying and giving everything. At the end of the day, it wasn't enough because we simply didn't score enough points in August and September."

Chance of Europe remains intact

The goal from the outset was to qualify for the European Cup. "Nothing has changed in that respect, only the signs are different. Our goal is still achievable and we won't move away from it. Our full focus is now on the qualifying group and we want to start with a good result on Saturday", said Wimmer.

The first two matches this season have shown that it won't be easy against Altach, with the home team coming out on top 2-1 in each. "The game in the fall was in a very difficult phase for us. We played a good first half in the spring, but Altach were the better team after the red card. We can expect a physically strong team that is very present in tackles and also has great quality and speed in attack. It will be a challenge for us, but - and I'll repeat myself here - every game is difficult, regardless of the opponent."

Personnel situation

Marvin Martins, Marvin Potzmann and Fisnik Asllani are all out, as are the three long-term injuries to Ziad El Sheiwi, Florian Wustinger and Marko Raguž. Lucas Galvão is suspended due to his fifth yellow card in the last match, but Luca Pazourek has been given medical clearance following his concussion and will return to the squad.