Profimannschaft |

04.03.2020

Diverse & uncompromising

18-year-old Patrick Wimmer made big steps last year and was at his best in the early spring rounds as a joker on the left offensive side. The U19 team player talks about his unique life & the appreciation of Austria Wien fans that drives him.

With the 1-1 draw against Sturm Graz, the fifth draw in a row, it was clear that after the home game against SKN St. Pölten Austria Wien would go through the qualification group and strive for first place there. ‘We will have to do everything physically possible. Our goal is to win every game,’ emphasizes Patrick Wimmer, who came into the game after an hour against Sturm Graz and, like in the previous games, provided fresh momentum on the left.

His tireless efforts in his first violet games, his first assist in Altach, has received a lot of appreciation from Austria Wien fans: ‘In Graz, when I walked towards the fans after the game, the fans called my name - it was really cool. I also had a good feeling against WAC when I got applause for an action,’ says Wimmer, who still remembers the final phase of the last home game against RB Salzburg. ‘In the last few minutes against Salzburg, you noticed that every ‘Violet’ in the stadium absolutely wanted us to win. That was a really cool atmosphere, it felt really good down on the pitch’.

His unorthodox path that shapes him

With his transfer to Austria Wien, Patrick Wimmer promptly made the leap into the ÖFB U19 team during the summer, since then he has made great steps in his career, first under coach Harald Suchard for the Young Violets (15 games in the second division in autumn) and since December under Christian Ilzer.

The Lower Austrian started playing football in his home town of Sitzenberg / Reidling at the age of six, ‘First only because my grandmother forced me to - because my sister also played,’ grins Wimmer, and continues, ‘Until I was nine I was a goalkeeper, then I became a central defender - playing football became more and more fun every year.’

Wimmer made up for his time in the goal during the following years when he played for several teams at the same time, some weekends he played up to three matches. During these years he pushed his physical limits. ‘I also helped my family on the weekends with wine-growing and wood-chopping, later my girlfriend's farm was added as well,’ says Wimmer.

Another world

A past that has shaped the 18-year-old to this day. He had his first thoughts of a possible professional career when he made his debut for SV Gaflenz’ A-team at the age of 15 and quickly became a top performer in the Lower Austrian state league. ‘I can still remember my debut very well - it was very intense because there were a few former professionals in the league, but I quickly got used to the pace.’

During the summer, he took another step when Austria Wien discovered the 18-year-old in the fourth league and brought him to 'Favoriten’. Wimmer surprised several times in the past eight months with his quick adaptability,

‘Austria Wien is a different world compared to Gaflenz - the intensity and quality of training here are not comparable to other leagues at all - I noticed that after being with the Young Violets, the step to the A-team was enormous again. We have many players with years of Bundesliga experience in our team, the fight for a spot in the starting line-up is tough, but I can keep up with the pace. I am convinced that if we correct the mistakes in the back and become more efficient in the front, we can be successful again.’