Today Vorwärts must deliver, otherwise it will be uncomfortable on the Volksstraße

“I can read a table,” says Vorwärts coach Max Eitl before the Red-Whites’ last game of the season today at home against fifth-placed Weiz from 7 p.m. The starting position is clear: if the Red-Whites get at least one point, a top 10 place in the Regionalliga Ost is guaranteed. If the SKV loses in front of their own fans, however, things could get uncomfortable on the Volksstrasse. In the worst case scenario, they risk falling back to 14th place, coupled with possible relegation.

“The situation is clear to us,” says Eitl, “the decisive factor will be that we use our chances more effectively and defend consistently.” Despite a mixed spring season, his team is still strong at home and can exceed its own expectations in front of its own fans.

The bare numbers of this first season in the Regionalliga speak volumes: While the motley crew had even taken fourth place with 25 points in the strong autumn, the red and whites only managed a modest twelve points in 14 games afterwards – only bottom team Allerheiligen has an even worse spring record.

“The development of the game was still good,” says Eitl, “but we didn’t translate the performance into results.” Against Weiz, Eitl will have to do without the injured Toni Kabashaj, and key player Mirsad Sulejmanovic has also been struggling with muscular problems for two weeks.