With courage and passion against Salzburg

Sporting director Manuel Ortlechner and coach Michael Wimmer talk about the away game at Red Bull Salzburg on Sunday (2:30 pm). It's obvious that the hosts are clear favorites, but the Veilchen still want to play their own game and try to "counter Salzburg's power with heart and passion".

After the 2-2 against LASK the previous week, Austria Wien (17 points) made up one place in the standings, overtaking their city rivals (16) and still trailing the Linzers (20) by three points. Top-ranked Salzburg (30) currently has a three-point lead over first-place Sturm, but would move ahead if the teams were tied on points.

The favorite role on Sunday is clearly distributed, Salzburg could win the last eight Bundesliga games against Austria and is unbeaten in 14 duels against Violett. The Bulls have also not lost any of their last 37 Bundesliga home games. The task could not be much harder, but with courage and passion, the surprise should succeed.

Sporting director Manuel Ortlechner: "The opening game in the championship group against LASK showed how close the games will be in the final third of the season, as the teams are at a similar level. All the more, it is often only the smallest carelessness that decides victory or defeat. That's why the game in Salzburg is the ideal gauge for our boys. With a courageous, active performance in all phases of the game, we want to try to surprise against the favorites!"

Coach Michael Wimmer: "We were naturally disappointed last Sunday after the game, would have liked to bring home the 2-0 and would have liked to start with a win. Nevertheless, we have worked through the game well, analyzed and addressed our mistakes and now want to do better again. We want to be brave in Salzburg and stay true to our idea. We know that it's going to be a real test, a big challenge against Austria's top team. Nevertheless, we want to pull off our game and try to counter Salzburg's force and power with heart and passion."

While the Violets are in Salzburg, Austria Klagenfurt will play at the same time in Hütteldorf, and at the end of the round, LASK will face Sturm Graz at 5 pm.

Personnel news

"Lucas Galvão has unfortunately torn a muscle fiber in his calf in training this week, he will be out for the time being. Apart from the long-term injured (Muki Husković, Ziad El Sheiwi, Florian Wustinger, Marko Raguž, note), however, all players are otherwise available," explained Wimmer.

Mirko Kos will once again be in goal for the Young Violets on Friday evening, while the competition for a place in the squad among the outfield players is now finally open.