After Burgstaller Shock: Rapid Vienna Versus Copenhagen for Advancement into Conference League Round of 16
A home victory on Thursday (9.00 pm/live Canal+) against FC Copenhagen could probably spare Rapid Vienna a play-off in the Conference League and lead them directly into the round of 16. However, the focus before the game was on the health condition of the figurehead of the Hütteldorfers.
Rapid Vienna Coach Klauß: Burgstaller Shock "Can Also Release Forces"
Coach Robert Klauß reported an improvement on Wednesday, but also said that Burgstaller "must not play football for at least three months". "It's sad, but we have to deal with it and find solutions," said the German. "One of our best players is out, who also has a lot of experience in such games. He is a role model for the team. But we have other players who have to or can step into the breach."
Klauß and Sports Director Markus Katzer spoke with the players about the Prima case on Sunday. "It's important that we process this together as a team," Klauß said. The topic is "still present. But from Monday we managed quite well to focus on the game. I didn't get the feeling that it disturbed the preparation, but it's part of it. It can also release forces," the 40-year-old suspected.
Grgic Wants to Win Against FC Copenhagen for Severely Injured Burgstaller
Midfielder Lukas Grgic added: "We now have to stick together and fight for Burgi." The team will go to work with full commitment, promised the midfielder. "We will give everything. Every player is responsible for leaving his heart on the field. We are well prepared to deliver a great game."
With FC Copenhagen, currently two points behind the ninth-placed Rapidlers in 16th place, the strongest opponent in the league phase awaits, according to Klauß. "We are aware of the difficulty of the task." The Danes are leaders in their national league and maintain an offensive style of play. "The opponent's approach suits us. We will get into transition moments and find spaces. But we have to defend well because the opponent has more quality than our last opponents," warned Klauß, who said he had discussions about a commitment with Copenhagen's arch-rival Bröndby two years ago.
His team is level on points with the eighth-placed Jagiellonia Bialystok and the seventh-placed Cercle Brugge, yet three points against Copenhagen could theoretically be too few for the top eight, who automatically stand in the round of 16. "If a victory is not enough, it's our own fault," Klauß emphasized, referring to the bitter 1:3 defeat last week at Omonia Nikosia.
Rapid Vienna Winless in Five Games Ahead of Duel with FC Copenhagen
More than 23,000 tickets had been sold for the duel with Copenhagen by Wednesday afternoon, with 2,000 fans from Denmark expected. "We are looking forward to the match. It's a home game, almost sold out, against a big opponent with a big name and a lot of quality, who played in the Champions League last season (Note: Out in the round of 16 against Manchester City)", Klauß explained.
Rapid is facing its 31st competitive match of the season. There has been no victory in the last five matches. "Of course, we have a trend in terms of results that is not good. But if you throw all the results of this season into a pot and don't look at them chronologically, we have had a very good half-year, except for the cup exit against Stripfing," said Klauß.
(APA/red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.