Blue-White Linz: “We have seen that we can keep up”

It finally worked: In the sixth round, promoted FC Blau-Weiss Linz achieved their first victory in the Bundesliga with a 4-2 win at WSG Tirol. “It’s a great pleasure. For the club, for the team and for the whole team. Also because we had to take a lot in the most recent games. We have always remained calm and objective”says BW coach Gerald Scheiblehner.

The burgeoning criticism has silenced his kickers on the Innsbruck Tivoli with the best performance of the season so far. Two quick goals by Ronivaldo (2nd) and Paul Mensah (11th) and a strong performance by the battered defense paved the way to success. Conor Noß (52nd) and Julian Gölles (64th) followed suit in the second half. The goal from Wattens attacker Mahamadou Diarra in the 74th minute came too late.

Above all, the setbacks in the past few weeks allowed Scheiblehner and his team to draw important conclusions: although the 46-year-old relied on the well-established 3-4-3 system as usual, they also allowed themselves breaks when the opponents attacked. “We took important lessons from the past games, started out high in Tyrol, but also withdrew in phases.” That was also a change for the team – in recent years, the opponents in the second division have been attacked almost constantly. “The team under me actually only knew pressing. Now we have found a middle ground that also gives the team a good feeling”says Scheiblehner, who has remained calm despite the turbulent environment: “It wasn’t all bad before. But now we’ve finally seen that we can keep up and also know how to win a game.”

This is how BW goalie Nicolas Schmid saw it: “We worked persistently towards it and showed our true colors.” “Super happy” was also scorer and summer newcomer Conor Noß: “It was clear that we first had to get used to the new league. We’ve tried things and now we’ve rewarded ourselves. I hope it continues like this.”

Test during the international break

As a reward, coach Gerald Scheiblehner gave the day off yesterday. Today, the blue and white return to the training ground. Until Wednesday: There will be a test match (note: opponent and location open), in which summer newcomer Alem Pasic will be used for the first time for a longer period of time.

From Thursday to Sunday, the BW kickers can then enjoy four days off before the preparations for the next home game against Altach begin next Monday. After the victory premiere in the upper house, the first full success in the local Donauparkstadion should also succeed.