Cuevas: "I appreciate that and I'm glad to be here"

When asking the Chilean about his goals with Austria Wien, he does not have to think about them long. "To finish in the top three, playing in the Europa League in the fall of 2019. This is important to our fans, the club and of course us players."

The ambition of the left-back is great. He wants to play every game, perform well and try to stay in ‘Favoriten’ as long as possible.

"It should be more than just a season," said the left-footer, who was borrowed at the end of July from the Chilean first division club Huachipato FC, the ‘Violets’ also have a purchase option. Cuevas has been involved in all three competitive games since receiving his game permit.

Aggressive, positive player with international experience

Cristian was once hired by Chelsea FC as an 18-year-old, later lent and played a total of 80 first division games in his home country, as well as in Belgium and the Netherlands. "He is a very aggressive player with international experience, a positive guy who can help us," praises coach Thomas Letsch.

In the 4-0 home victory against Admira he proved this with data. Cuevas recorded 90 ball actions and a duel rate of 78 percent - best of all players. For the upcoming home game, in which the third victory is targeted, he is motivated.

"Win and go into the league break with a good feeling"

"We have to win the game before we can go into the league break with a good feeling and confidence," Cristian announces the violet goal. Against Mattersburg we are already waiting for a victory since December 17^th 2016 (2-0 / goals: Venuto, Filipovic).

"It's time to end this series on Saturday," appeals our legionnaire, looking forward to a reunion with Marko Kvasina. Together with the former Austria Wien striker Cuevas played for Twente Enschede in 2017/18.

"Kvasi" and also WAC returnee Michael Liendl, who also has a violet past, got to know the South American at Twente. "Both are nice guys, good friends. We spent a lot of free time together - with our families as well," the Chilean talks about the past.

Back then he had already talked to the duo about the Austrian Bundesliga and Austria Wien, Cuevas says about his time with Twente in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, he could get to know Austria and Austria Wien himself.

About Austria Wien and the league’s level

So far the ‘Violets’ have made a very good impression on him. "The club is great, the new Generali Arena offers everything you can imagine as a football player. I appreciate that, I feel really comfortable here and I'm happy to be here," says Cuevas.

He hopes for more victories and a steady improvement in the performances of the violet game. The Bundesliga, he says, is also at a good level. "On a better level than the highest classes in Chile, Belgium and Holland."

Cuevas, who enjoyed his footballing education in Chile, also thinks that there is more football being played and players are fighting more in Austria. "Football in South America is different. You don’t put that much pressure on the ball. In Europe, I learned to think about the next pass before I get the ball."

Quick thinking is also possible and necessary for Cuevas and Co. before the game against Mattersburg. Because Letsch might switch back to a four-man defense and a three-man attack. For Cristian that would be no problem, until the eleventh round he has to adjust to a new opposing team anyways.

"This is not so difficult for me, because the coaching team also prepares us on the basis of videos for each opponent," says the left-footer, who came to Vienna with his wife and sometimes hangs out here with the Brazilians Igor, Venuto and Ewandro.

The South American Community speak Portuguese together. In addition to his mother tongue Spanish Cuevas also speaks English and understands a little German from his time in Holland. "I'm currently taking a German class twice a week for two hours."

Vidal and Sanchez as role models

As role models, Cristian lists his compatriots Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United) and Arturo Vidal (FC Barcelona). "How they play impresses me. They always give everything for their team, are strong in duels and in their technique," said Cuevas about the compatriots and national team players.

In the A-selection, the former U20 team player has already participated once. He made his debut during the World Cup run-up in the 2-2 in Poznan against World Cup starter Poland. Since then he is in contact with the team coach Reinaldo Rueda.

"The relationship with him is perfect. They talk a lot to each other and he would like to recommend himself in the Austria Wien dress for further international appearances. For the time being, he only considered the 18-hour flight back home during the winter break.

Cuevas is connected to his family in Rancagua, about 80 km south of the capital Santiago. "My wife and I often skype with our families," says the Chilean, who has two brothers (27 and 29 years old). They also played football, have already ended their career, are now in working life.

Lieber Austria-Fan,
der Inhalt des heutigen Austria Wien-Newsletters

» Letsch: Mutiger, zielstrebiger, konsequenter
» Fan-Infos für das Heimspiel gegen Mattersburg
» Cuevas: "Ich schätze das und bin froh, hier sein zu dürfen
» Ewandro erhält Spielberechtigung
» Die nächsten Spiele & Termine der Veilchen

Bundesliga:
6. Runde, 01.09.2018, 17:00, Austria Wien - SV Mattersburg (Alle Infos >>)
7. Runde, 16.09.2018, 17:00, Auswärtsderby (Alle Infos >>)
8. Runde, 23.09.2018, 14:30, FK Austria Wien - LASK (Alle Infos >>)

UNIQA ÖFB Cup:
2. Runde, 26.09.2018, 20:45, Austria Wien - SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz

2. Liga
6. Runde, 02.09.2018, 10:30, SK Austria Klagenfurt - Young Violets Austria Wien
7. Runde, 14.09.2018, 19:10, Young Violets Austria Wien - FC Juniors OÖ
8. Runde, 21.09.2018, 19:10, SV Guntamatic Ried - Young Violets Austria Wien