Where is the journey going at SV Guntamatic Ried? The Innviertler host WSG Tirol today (5 p.m., josko Arena) and then play in western Austria next week. With a complete success at home against the Tyroleans, things would look very good before the second half of the season in the qualifying group of the Bundesliga. At least the team of coach Thomas Silberberger could be kept at a distance with a six-point lead before the last five rounds of the season.
“We have a huge opportunity to get some air, even if you look at the constellations of the other games,” says Ried coach Robert Ibertsberger. The statistics speak for the Vikings: The Tyroleans are the only Bundesliga team against which Ried has not lost a point since being promoted back to the top football league at home. Home strength should become the trump card again: After the setback against Altach (1: 2), Hartberg (0: 0) was not a complete success either. “Due to the strength we have shown at home over the past twelve months, many teams have respect for us. It should stay that way,” says Seifedin Chabbi. The 28-year-old is fully fit again after suffering an elbow fracture during the winter break – he celebrated his return to the pitch against Hartberg. Can he make a goal comeback against Wattens? It wouldn’t be too surprising: The 28-year-old is the absolute horror of the Kristall-Klub, scoring seven times in seven duels. “Tyrol has its qualities. It’s a very good team that we shouldn’t underestimate.” The attacker sees the key to victory in the mental area: “We have to accept the football that is played in the lower play-off.”
Who replaces Nutz?
It is still uncertain whether Chabbi will be allowed to play from the start. Ried’s chief Ibertsberger does not let himself be looked at in the cards as to who should replace the suspended top scorer Stefan Nutz. At yesterday’s final training session, however, it seemed more likely that a native of Innsbruck would also get his chance against the Tyroleans: Murat Satin was trained at the Tyrolean Football Academy and will take the place behind solo leader Dorgeles Nene today. The absence of the director (eight goals and 17 assists in 31 competitive games) also makes Ried a little more unpredictable. Ibertsberger: “Of course, the opposing teams see very clearly in their analysis that he is our linchpin and plays the crucial balls. He was worked on accordingly in the end.” Julian Wießmeier could be another support today – winter newcomer Josef Weberbauer should celebrate his starting eleven debut.
Where is the journey at LASK going?
When the qualifying group kicked off, five clubs were prepared to fight for relegation – the sixth is LASK. The athletes only spoke of the European Cup play-off. The duels against Altach away today (5 p.m.) and next Saturday in Pasching will show whether the black and whites have arrived in reality. The Vorarlbergers are only three points behind LASK on the relegation zone.
Altach showed how relegation battle works. After the regular season, they were still in last place, seven points behind Admira. After the points were shared, the team of the new coach Ludovic Magnin is the best team in the qualifying group with eight points from four games and has made the connection – also thanks to Christoph Monschein on loan from LASK. The forward contributed two goals and two assists.
End of the season for Wiesinger
After the absences of Marko Raguz and Alexander Schmidt, a trained center forward is not the only thing LASK will be missing today: Yesterday it was decided that Philipp Wiesinger would end the season early. Permanent foot problems require surgery. Finally, it was considered to delay this until the summer, now the conviction matured that it made no sense for the defense chief to torment himself through the remaining games.
During the winter break Wiesinger went through a special program with a German specialist to get his problems with the pubic bone under control. That’s why he only got into the preparation for the training camp at LASK. After seven appearances in the spring, Wiesinger’s season is now over due to a foot injury.
He was able to play 24 of the 42 competitive games – as a stabilizer of a shaky defense he will now be missing in the fight for relegation. “Our absences also mean a chance for other players to prove themselves. I want everyone in the squad to be absolutely hungry for success – we owe that to our fans,” said coach Andreas Wieland. That will also be necessary against Altach. “We are challenged to counteract this from the start.”
Title celebration on Sunday?
Salzburg could celebrate their ninth championship title in a row on Sunday: if they win against Austria Wien, the title defense would be fixed after 27 rounds if Rapid win against Sturm at the same time. The Grazers could still draw level on points afterwards, Salzburg has already won the decisive direct duel after the previous three victories.
Before Salzburg’s title series, Austria had been champions in 2013. The sporting aspect of the Viennese is currently taking a back seat due to the refusal to license, the team “didn’t react at all,” said coach Manfred Schmid. “It is important for us that we focus on the task that we can influence.”
Source: Nachrichten
