Image: GEPA pictures
In mid-October Austria is still waiting for the first sense of achievement this season in front of a home crowd. The violets are still unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga, but have not yet fully written in four draws in four appearances in the Generali Arena. The next chance for the Viennese arises on Saturday (5 p.m.) when Admira is a guest at the end of the first half of the regular season.
Before the duel, the Südstadters are sixth, three places ahead of Austria, but only one point separates the opponents. Andreas Herzog spoke of a “trend-setting game” for both teams. His team wanted to take the three points with them, said the Admira coach. His counterpart Manfred Schmid naturally wants to celebrate a home win.
The Austrian team is not satisfied with the number of points so far – eleven after ten rounds. Schmid's summary of the previous appearances was somewhat positive, but the view of only twelve hits is not a nice one for the head coach. “There were hardly any games in which we didn't have any scoring chances. The fact that we didn't get more out of that is what I have to criticize. It would have been more possible, especially in home games,” said Schmid.
One who is supposed to score goals is Muharem Huskovic. The 18-year-old young team player knew how to please in the past few games. According to Schmid, the striker is working hard on himself. “He's taken a giant step physically, his character is okay. He's a great talent,” said the coach.
Huskovic benefits from the fact that Austria is currently relying on its own youth due to its financial problems. During the international break, Schmid again built five young players into training. First and foremost, the youngsters should have a certain learning effect, according to the 50-year-old. A veteran without a contract was also there. Left-back Kofi Schulz, who was under contract with SKN St. Pölten in the preseason, played. Austria refrained from signing the 32-year-old German.
Austria will miss the injured Vesel Demaku and Marvin Martins, Dominik Fitz could not train due to a strain in the previous week. Schmid warned against running into the open knife with Admira. “It will depend on the little things, on our efficiency in the last third. We worked on that,” he said. For Austria it will be the first game in which the 2G regulation valid in Vienna (only vaccinated and recovered spectators) is applied. The organized fan scene has announced a boycott of the mood due to the restrictions.
At Admira, the injured Luca Kronberger and Sebastian Bauer are missing from the regulars. The club from the south of Vienna is already waiting eleven league games for a sense of achievement against their neighbors. Austria won six of these games. Herzog now saw an open starting position: “Austria has played very well in the last few weeks – just like us. The Viennese have a young, talented team that also has weaknesses. We want to take advantage of them.”
