Marcel Ziegl and SV Ried: A football marriage that lasts. The 29-year-old, who made his Bundesliga debut at the age of 16, played 330 competitive games for Rieder. A change of club was never really an issue for the captain. Ziegl is the only player in the current squad who took part in the last Rieder cup final in 2012. The opponent in the 0:3 defeat was also Salzburg.
OÖN: How is the feeling before the final on Sunday against Salzburg and what are the expectations of SV Ried going into the game?
Marcel Zigl: Very special, it’s always a final. I don’t like it when it says that we have nothing to lose as clear underdogs. That’s not true, it’s about winning the cup and we basically have exactly the same thing to lose as Salzburg. We fought our way to the final and we’re definitely not going to Klagenfurt for sightseeing. Even if it’s difficult and maybe also unlikely: We want to create a sensation and take the trophy home to the Innviertel.
How can the big sensation succeed?
We need an extremely good day in terms of football, athletics and tactics. To do this, we have to force the game to run as well as possible. Maybe we can score the first goal. We saw in the 2-2 home draw in the fall that something is possible. For many in the team, it is the biggest game of their career so far, and the anticipation is great.
You were in the final in 2012. On Sunday you lead SV Ried onto the field as captain. How special does that feel?
I’ve been playing for SV Ried since I was 14 years old. Being the captain here is something special for me in every game and I am fully aware of the responsibility for the club and the fans.
Cup final in Klagenfurt, six days later the very important game in the relegation battle against Altach, where everything could be clear with a win. How to deal with this situation?
As trite as that sounds, we always focus on the next game. We are aware of the situation in the league and staying up in the league is the most important thing for the club. Nevertheless, you could feel the anticipation of the big game against Salzburg this week, because it is an absolute career highlight for each of us – and also for the fans.
In 2012 they had no chance in the final against Salzburg when they lost 0:3. What has changed since then?
From the starting position, everything is different than ten years ago. Back then, SV Ried was one of the best teams in Austria, but that changed and after three years in the second division we had to fight our way back up. Hardly anyone would have believed that we were now in the final two years after our promotion to the Bundesliga, especially since we were able to eliminate three Bundesliga clubs in a row on the way to the final.
Around 3000 Ried fans make the long journey to Klagenfurt on a Sunday. How important is support from the stands?
Sensational! As a team, you can only take your hat off to that. We are proud to be able to count on such fans. The game in Klagenfurt will be like a home game for us in terms of atmosphere. Unfortunately, the past few weeks were – once again – not the easiest for the club, fans and team. Our supporters put so much passion, time and money into SV Ried and want to see on Sunday and of course also in the remaining three important league games that each of us gives everything for the club colours. This support can be the deciding factor for us, both in the final and in the relegation battle.
Source: Nachrichten
