Football Bundesliga: Opening Duel of the Cup Losers between GAK and Wiener Austria
As the third-placed team from last season, Wiener Austria travels as the favorite to GAK, who only secured their place in the league on the last matchday. "We naturally want to start the season well and show that the cup match was just a slip-up," explained Austria's top scorer Maurice Malone.
GAK Squad Not Yet Complete Before Opening Duel Against Wiener Austria
While the Viennese were knocked out of the ÖFB Cup with a 2:3 loss in Voitsberg, the Graz team was eliminated with a 0:1 defeat in Dornbirn - also against a third-division team. Last season, the Viennese won both duels with the "Red Devils" (each 2:1), something Coach Ferdinand Feldhofer's team now wants to change. "We are further along than last year. We have grown even closer together. Some minor setbacks won't unsettle us; we will continue on our chosen path," said the 45-year-old on Friday. The season goal is clear, "to stay in the league. And if possible, as quickly as possible. We must act as a unit. Especially at home, the spark should ignite in front of our own fans," said Feldhofer. The goal is to improve on the mere three home wins from last year. One area still under construction is the squad. "The team is not yet complete, and it will take some time. But I know we will be competitive on Sunday."
Third Consecutive Away Match for Wiener Austria
Meanwhile, the "Violets" continue with their tightly scheduled program, playing their fourth competitive match within one and a half weeks and their third consecutive away game. The team, led by coach Stephan Helm, landed in Vienna-Schwechat on Friday afternoon after their European Cup trip to Georgia. After the final training session on Saturday, the journey to Graz was already on the agenda. The 5:0 victory in Tbilisi against Spaeri is expected to give the Violets a boost, with three points targeted at GAK. "We were able to recharge with really positive energy. We are eager for the Bundesliga start," said Helm. They know exactly "what to expect at GAK. It's a team with a very clear structure in their play. It will be important for us to be proactive." Striker Johannes Eggestein agrees. "We want to play dominantly with high intensity. We want to continue what we started in Tbilisi over the weekend." For Austria, it's also about ending a negative streak. In the past six years, the club has always lost its league opening match.
Own Fan Section for GAK
With the start of the new season, GAK can look forward to its own stadium section in the southern part of the Merkur Arena, where seating will be converted to standing areas for home games. In the future, 3,400 instead of 1,700 fans will have space here. Through the renovation as part of a 2.5 million Euro package of measures, both the Athletiker and Sturm now have separate sections for their supporters. This is intended to improve safety at derbies and prevent riots like those at the city duel in November 2023. In the event of a derby with two full standing sections, the stadium will accommodate 18,000 fans - a new record.
(APA/Red)
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