The 62nd Upper Austria Derby is reversed. Host LASK, who has always been number one in the state in recent years, is currently only entering the duel with the “Vikings” as the second player and penultimate in the Bundesliga. If the Linzers still want to be in the championship group, they need a “turbo”. Ried, however, comes strengthened from a draw against Rapid and four games without defeat.
The Upper Austria Derby from 2.30 p.m. in the live ticker:
“Everything is still possible, but it is clear that we will have to win the next two games (Ried and Austria Wien, note),” said defender Jan Boller soberly. The situation for his troops is depressing, at least on home soil. While they celebrated promotion in the Conference League as group winners, only a meager four points looked out of the last seven league games, and it was hardly possible to take the European Cup swing into the championship. The top six move further and further into the distance with six outstanding games and six missing points.
The latest 1-2 last minute defeat in Hartberg was the next blow to the neck. “Everyone is aware that the performance was not enough and that we have to show a different face,” said Boller. Coach Andreas Wieland sounded similar. “We don’t need to gloss over anything. The situation is not an easy one, and that has to be clear to everyone,” said the 38-year-old on record.
After all, compared to many other autumn weeks, you had more time to work on certain things. “In the attacking third, as we finished outnumbered situations, the last pass, too little depth, too little dynamism, the remaining defense,” he said of the areas that he and his team worked on in training. “We are aware that they have a very good run that we want to interrupt. Now it’s about good performance, about the right results and mentality.”
Ried gained additional self-confidence in the previous week with a 2-2 draw against Rapid, before that they scored another seven points in three games. The fight for the championship group is still tight for the Innviertler: Only two points are separated from ninth place. In the first season duel, the “Dorfclub” celebrated a 1-0 win at home – after two clear LASK three-pointers in the previous season. “We now have a great game ahead of us,” said coach Christian Heinle. In any case, there is no pressure on the vineyards.
Still: “We mustn’t underestimate them,” warned defensive man Constantin Reiner, and his coach agreed with him. “LASK are a really good team that are currently being beaten extremely below their value. They missed many scoring opportunities and were punished for doing so,” emphasized the 36-year-old. “If the button opens for you, you can do a series. I hope that doesn’t happen against us now.” He does not want to deliver a defensive battle to the hosts in Pasching: “We will definitely seek our salvation in Linz on the offensive, try to create scoring opportunities and will not just defend.”
Source: Nachrichten
