Salzburg fights against WSG Tirol on a good Milan dress rehearsal – football –
First the “West Derby”, then the first “premier class cracker”: In the case of series champions Salzburg, before the duel with WSG Tirol on Saturday (5:00 p.m.), everything is already dominated by AC Milan. Three days later, against the Italian champions, it’s all about a good start in the Champions League. The other two Saturday games of the 7th round of the Bundesliga – Austria Vienna against Austria Lustenau and Sturm Graz against TSV Hartberg – start at the same time.
“It is the task of the coaching team to sensitize the team to the fact that WSG Tirol is on the program first,” emphasized Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle, who is expected to talk about the expected Champions League duel. The game against the Tyroleans is important, “there it is important to get three points.” And Milan? Secondary at first, because: “It’s everyday life in the league and ultimately we want to become champions so that we can continue to have the chance to play teams as big as Milan.”
The Tyroleans, currently sixth in the league, are looking forward to the “Champions League atmosphere” during their guest appearance in Salzburg. Coach Thomas Silberberger still expects a surprise in the league croesus. “We need a dream day and they need a bad day, we know that. But there are always games like this. We’re definitely not going to Salzburg to clear the field without a fight,” said the Tyrolean. In any case, Silberberger will not receive a “swatter”.
After an eventful transfer summer, Wiener Austria has drawn a satisfied balance. “We are very happy with how they found their way into the group in terms of sport and character,” said sports director Manuel Ortlechner about the newcomers before the duel against Austria Lustenau. Coach Manfred Schmid will follow up against the promoted team after the confident promotion to the round of 16 (5:0 in Siegendorf). “These successful games in the last few weeks have put us in a very positive and good starting position. We want to stay in this flow,” emphasized the coach. Most recently there was a 3: 3 at Austria Klagenfurt.
Against Austria from Lustenau, it’s not just about a successful dress rehearsal for the Conference League opener on Thursday against the reliable runner-up Hapoel Be’er Sheva – for the table eighth is also the well-known jump over the “line” of the top 6 possible. Lustenau coach Markus Mader will surprise in Vienna. “The roles are clearly divided, but of course we didn’t travel to Vienna to simply hand over the points,” he said. “Viennese have a strong squad and we have to be extremely careful.”
Vice-champion Sturm Graz meanwhile asks TSV Hartberg for the Styrian derby dance. However, “Blackys” coach Christian Ilzer is plagued by a number of injury concerns, he banged for first-choice goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl. Jakob Jantscher will definitely be out. Opposing coach Klaus Schmidt is no better off, and he still has to hand over captain and keeper Rene Swete. The Grazers are third in the table against the Hartbergers, who failed during the week in the ÖFB Cup from second division Dornbirn (2: 3), the clear favorite. A frown causes Ilzer, however, the starting line-up. “I can’t draw from the full by a long shot,” said the 44-year-old.
Hartberg trainer Schmidt also has a few wishes after the cup defeat, starting with the away game in Graz, where the Oststeirer are the logical underdog. “Sturm is a home power and of course a clear favourite. Hartberg is used to taking on that role and we manage to surprise us here and there. I hope that’s the case on Saturday as well.” Schmidt also had a few puzzles to solve when it came to the starting eleven. “We have several injured and sick players.” After all, the game permits for the “last-minute newcomers” Dominik Frieser and Rene Kriwak have been announced according to the club.