Rapid Vienna challenged at WAC after exit in Conference League
Rapid Vienna urgently needs points in Lavanttal to keep the chance for international games next season. The Hütteldorfers are currently only in fifth place in the football Bundesliga, which is not enough for a European Cup ticket if Hartberg wins the cup final against WAC.
Rapid Vienna Coach Klauß Wants to "Lift Heads Again" After Failure Against Djurgarden
The fourth-placed Wolfsbergers have a three-point lead over Green-White with seven rounds to go. "It is important that we score in the Bundesliga now so that we can play in Europe again next year. We need to collect as many points as possible to keep our chance," explained coach Robert Klauß. After the defeat against Djurgarden, the German offered words of perseverance. "This is now a challenge for us to lift our heads again and get our heads straight." Goalkeeper Niklas Hedl agreed with his coach. "We still have to keep going and do what has made us so strong in the last two or three weeks. I believe and hope that the team will show a real reaction on Sunday."
Burgstaller After Conference League Exit: "There Are Worse Things in Life"
Guido Burgstaller, who recently returned from a serious head injury, tried to put things in the right perspective. "We have to deal with it as quickly as possible to learn from it and look forward. There are more important things in life, worse things in life. We lost a football game." Sports director Markus Katzer is already looking ahead and hopes, according to his own statements, for a third-place finish - the third-placed Salzburgers are currently five points away. "You have to set high goals," said the ex-professional and also stated: "We still have seven games and can still achieve a good placement. The team is in a good flow, the match against Djurgarden was a special game because of the early red card. Our players still did well to hold out in a European Cup quarterfinal with a man down for so long."
Kühbauer Sympathized with Rapid Vienna
WAC coach Dietmar Kühbauer sympathized with his former club on Thursday evening. "I would have wished for them to advance because I am Austrian and a Rapid fan," said the Burgenlander. However, Kühbauer does not believe in a significant weakening of Rapid. "It would be bad if we said the opponent is weakened or tired. It is still Rapid, they have enough fit players with quality." Kühbauer emphasized that they will certainly not underestimate the Viennese. "They have plans against us, and we take them as seriously as always - no matter what happened on Thursday," said the 54-year-old.
(APA/Red)
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