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“Of course, this injury has thrown me back. It takes a little time to get back in shape. This lift is just what we needed in this important phase for the European Cup” says the 30-year-old and is excited about his overall eighth brace.
For him the remarkable 2-1 goal is one of his top 3 goals in his career so far. On the way towards the goal, our number ten couldn’t even be stopped by fouls. “The technical trainings with my dad from the U6 to U13 really paid off,” says Grünwald with a smile.
The captain was the clear match winner in the 3-1 against Sturm after the 0-1 deficit he turned the game with two goals and an assist. Ironically, against the “Blackies”, against which he suffered a serious shoulder injury in October during the 1-1 home game (crack in the joint lip) and missed nine competitive games.
Secure tickets for the “showdown for Europe” against WAC: fak.at/heimtickets
Thanks to him Austria Wien scored three goals in an away league game for the first time since August 2017. And with eight goals (all with his left foot) he came close to his season's best in the championship with eleven goals (eleven goals in 2016/17 and nine in the 2015/16 season). Grünwald thinks more about the team rather than about himself:
“The victory in Graz was extremely important because we kept our chances to reach the third place,” he says. The starting position for a European Cup participation generally improved. It definitely gives strength, hope and confidence.
“So far we have never had a run. Maybe we can start a small series in the final phase”, hopes Grünwald. The results clearly point upwards after the last six rounds with two wins, three draws and only one defeat (11-9 in total).
With the first home victory under coach Robert Ibertsberger the positive trend is to be extended, the negative series in five home matches (0-2-3/6-10) since the 4-2 against TSV Hartberg (3.3.2019) has to end. Grünwald believes that he knows how to realize it.
“We have to give everything from the start,” he thinks back to the start in Graz. There they didn’t immediately find into the game, didn’t really look for duels and were always a step too late, complained Grünwald.
“That should not happen again against WAC. From the very first second, we have to try and take control and keep the opponent busy,” says the captain, setting the tone for the next final.
“We are definitely in a position to beat WAC at home and that's our goal.” The fans could play an important role. “Everybody who cares about Austria Wien should be there on Sunday and support us”, he appeals to supporters and sympathizers.
Our offensive spirit doesn’t say this to lure spectators into the Generali Arena, but out of belief. "People should turn our stadium into a madhouse.”
With the support of the fans the third place is supposed to be secured. “It is not unrealistic if we beat WAC. A lot can happen in football”, he says and thinks about the latest results in the Champions League.
The showdown against runner-up LASK in the 32nd and final round on May 26th in Pasching (5pm) is not yet a topic for Grünwald. “First we are concentrating on WAC and then we can talk about the game against LASK”. For now, they are only dealing with the “Wolves”.
From Wolfsberg, where SKN St. Pölten was defeated 4-0 on Sunday, comes a clear message, “We want to keep the third place and also win the game in Vienna,” says Kevin Friesenbichler, who is on loan with WAC from Austria Wien. “We'll talk about that after the game,” replies “Grüni”.
The Carinthian, who describes Vienna as his footballing home, knows no friends in the game against the club from his home state, but has respect for the opponent, “WAC is having a really good season, you have to acknowledge that. But we also work daily and on Sunday we want to prove to WAC that we are the better team,” announced Grünwald.
Both sides feel the pressure to succeed. “Of course, you worry but I think you need a certain amount of pressure to bring top performances on your level. For some of us this is not the first time to be in this kind of situation,” said the 30-year-old.
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Ausgabe KW 21/2019 |
Erstellt am 23.05.2019 |
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Bundesliga:
32. Runde, 26.05.2019, 17:00 Uhr, LASK - FK Austria Wien (Alle Infos >>)
2. Liga
28. Runde, 24.05.2019, 19:10 Uhr, Young Violets Austria Wien - FC Wacker Innsbruck II
29. Runde, 29.05.2019, 19:10 Uhr, Young Violets Austria Wien - FAC Wien
30. Runde, 01.06.2019, 17:00 Uhr, SK Vorwärts Steyr - Young Violets Austria Wien