Image: GEPA pictures
The 5-2 victory over WSG Tirol immediately before the championship break took pressure off the boiler in Hütteldorf for the time being. Anything but the fourth win of the season would make the situation for the team around coach Dietmar Kühbauer uncomfortable at the beginning of the next intensive month.
Seven games in three exclusively English weeks are on the program for Rapid until the next international break from November 7th. In addition to an improvement in the Bundesliga, points gains in the Europa League and promotion to the Cup are on the green and white wish list.
“It will stay tight in the basic round if we don't get a run, which of course would be good,” said Kühbauer on Friday. He also knows that Rapid have not yet achieved two wins in a row in the current championship. Eighth place is currently not causing the coach to worry. Also because the third place held by the Klagenfurters is only two points away. “No matter how the game ends, we're guaranteed to be among the top six,” promised Kühbauer, “and then the cards will be shuffled again.”
Austria Klagenfurt has nothing to lose against Rapid, stressed the Burgenland. He hopes that the victory against the Tyroleans has initiated a lasting relaxation. “Especially against Wattens you could see that we shot away our frustration. Now there is a new game situation again. “
Tactical development was hardly possible during the break, said Kühbauer in view of seven Rapidlers who were on the way as national players. “Actually it was the same as in the previous weeks, you have to be honest. I would be happy if we could do things again, but on the other hand we have known it for three months now and it doesn't help anyway. ”After all, according to the coach, all team players came back fit.
Kühbauer contradicted the assumption of Klagenfurt coach Peter Pacult. He said: “We are prepared that Rapid will probably show up with a different face. For them, the break may have come at the right time to correct a lot. But it was also good for us to recharge the batteries because we don't have such a broad squad. “
Pacult found clear words on the green and white constant issue of stress. “If you want to play the European Cup, you have to be prepared accordingly and make sure that you are set up accordingly. When I was at Rapid I always said that the European Cup is the icing on the cake, the main task is the championship. I do think that Rapid has a very broad and good squad in terms of quality. “
He himself notes with astonishment that the last green and white master trainer is still called Peter Pacult 13 years later. “I would never have believed that there would be no championship title for so long. At Rapid there have been a lot of changes in coaches and management, that didn't help to calm things down. ”The coach doesn't think a successful title mission 33 is impossible. “Red Bull has a huge lead at the moment. But I am convinced that if the right levers are set in motion, it can soon lead to success again. “
Kühbauer are all key players again with the exception of the still injured goalkeeper Richard Strebinger and captain Christopher Dibon. The Klagenfurt team are still unbeaten in their home Wörthersee Stadium after four rounds (two wins, two draws). Austria is now three games without defeat.
