The neo-coach is spoiled for choice in the storm despite failures. Rapid plays against Wiener Viktoria in the first round.
For defending champions Salzburg, the competitive season begins on Friday (5 p.m. / live ORF 1) in the first round of the ÖFB Cup at third division club Hertha Wels. For coach Matthias Jaissle, the task of his competitive debut is to find the storm of his choice. Admira coach Andreas Herzog and Wolfsberg's new Robin Dutt are equally facing their premieres in a competition game. Vice-champion Rapid meets Wiener Viktoria with coach Toni Polster.
Looking forward to the start
The 33-year-old Jaissle can no longer wait for the start, as he admitted at his most recent media appointments. “Now, after four weeks of preparation, you want nothing more than that it finally comes down to points or, as in this case, to progress in the cup.” Due to the departure of top scorer Patson Daka to Leicester City and the torn cruciate ligament of Sekou Koita, Salzburg lost two strikers before the start of the season. Because Mergim Berisha is also suffering from a groin injury, a question mark arises in the attack.
“It's a big upheaval, especially on the offensive,” said Jaissle. With Karim Adeyemi (19), returnees Junior Adamu (20), Noah Okafor (21) and Benjamin Sesko (18) promoted by FC Liefering, the head coach has at least four highly talented boys with different strengths in the squad. The internal hierarchy must first emerge. “The fact is that the remaining strikers did very, very well,” emphasized the German. “As a coach, I am a bit spoiled for choice to find the duo that will play from the start on Friday.”
In any case, the opponent is not underestimated. “It's a competitive game, we want to win. So we prepared ourselves professionally,” said Jaissle. “It is very important for us that we start the new season successfully. As defending champions we are favorites and of course we want to win this game against Wels,” said Zlatko Junuzovic.
“Cup fright”
Rapid has to deal with the one-off “Cup-Schreck” Viktoria. The upholstery squad eliminated Hartberg on penalties two years ago, but at the time with a home advantage in Vienna-Meidling. This time it will be played in the Allianz Stadium (8.30 p.m. / live ORF Sport +).
Robin Dutt, who looked after Werder Bremen, Leverkusen and Bochum among others in Germany, has to go to the Vienna Sport Club not far from Hütteldorf in the 17th district for his debut as WAC coach. “This is a traditional club, because spectators are allowed to leave the stands emotionally. We will have to deliver an absolute top performance in order to live up to the role of favorites,” said the second German head coach besides Jaissle in the Bundesliga.
The first official match of ÖFB record player Herzog as club coach will take place in Burgenland, where Admira will be playing at SC Neusiedl am See. “We are happy that things are finally starting. Of course you always have to be careful in the cup so that there is no blue miracle, but the team has been working very hard in the last few weeks,” said the former Israeli national team coach. Hartberg plays at Bad Gleichenberg, SV Ried is a guest in Grödig.
Home win at the end of the preparation ⚫️⚪️
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– LASK (@LASK_Official) July 10, 2021
Only on Saturday are the LASK against Marchfeld / Mannsdorf, Austria at Spittal / Drau, Bundesliga promoted Austria Klagenfurt in Wiener Neustadt, Altach in Kalsdorf, the WSG Tirol in Leobendorf and Sturm Graz at ATSV Stadl-Paura. “The anticipation for the first competitive game and also for the return of the fans is huge. We want to open the season with a strong performance and promotion to the second round,” said Sturm coach Christian Ilzer.
In the past twelve years, only three Bundesliga clubs have not been kicked out of the cup in round one. Most recently, however, all twelve upper house clubs survived the starting shot in the 2020/21 season. “Every Bundesliga team is a favorite against a lower-class club,” said WSG coach Thomas Silberberger. “We want to take on the role of favorites, we don't want to miss anything. But the Cup has its own rules. We definitely have to play with the strongest team, otherwise there will be a rude awakening.”
