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After recently mixed performances in the Bundesliga, Vienna’s arch rivals felt a sense of success ahead of the 331st major soccer derby. If Rapid stepped into the knockout phase with a 3: 1 at Dundalk in the Europa League, Austria increased their previously meager goalscoring performance with a 5: 3 against Hartberg in the cup round of 16. The favorite is Sunday (live and free to receive on Sky Sport Austria 1 starting at 4.30pm – stream the game live with the SkyX Dream Pass), green and white. Austria has never lost at the Allianz Stadium.
“The momentum speaks more about Rapid. But in the end they again left the championship lead behind. It’s 50:50 like in almost every game in this league, ”Austria coach Peter Stöger said of the starting position. Speed is said to have an advantage over paper. “I still believe that everything is open,” said Stöger. In the opponent, Dietmar Kühbauer, who was the last patient, should return to the supervisory bench. There are things almost unimaginable in the days of Corona: The prestigious duel takes place without fans. This was never the case, at least in the postwar period.
It remains a “special match”, said Rapid assistant coach Manfred Nastl. Stöger should be on the same page. “It is still a special game. Also because the moment is special for us. “With a success in West Vienna, your team could also” gain momentum “for the table and save a certain issue, that is, after the first six. After eight rounds, Austria is currently only eighth and currently four league games without a win.
Video: Stöger praises Rapid’s work
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Rapid missed the jump to the top after the 3: 4 exchange of blows with Ried and had to let LASK push them to third place. At home, Hütteldorfer are still winless in six attempts with three losses and three draws to Austria. In December of the previous year, the two teams separated with a 2: 2. The balance after the last twelve league games is fully balanced with four wins, four draws and four losses.
Nastl braced himself for a “tough fight.” “Austria has the advantage with one more day off. But it won’t make any difference, we’re used to the pace, ”he said. His team wants to accelerate again on Sunday. “The derby is always such that 22 players are electrified. It’s an open game, I don’t see any favorites, ”explained Nastl. Your boss is already “dying” at home to be there again. Kühbauer wants to return to training on Saturday after, according to Nastl, the last time the flu and fever bothered him.
Derby Sunday with historic Viennese derbies on Sky
Marcel Ritzmaier, who was saved against Dundalk, should also get back in shape in time. Rapid trained in Dublin on Friday morning before the entourage left for home. Rapid will not have to skimp for the next game of the Europa League next Thursday in London against Arsenal. The promotion will only be decided in the group final against El Molde on December 10.
Video: Stöger: “Momentum speaks for Rapid, but …”
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Stöger hoped to see Kühbauer again in Vienna. His team did well at that, after goalless matches and even scoring chances in the round of 16 of the ÖFB Cup against Hartberg, a lot of things worked. With a score of 5: 1, the Violets caught avoidable goals in the final, but Stöger had saved his strength. “There can be a lot of positives now,” the head coach said heading into Sunday. The fast ones have strengths on offense, but: “We have opportunities to give them trouble defensively.” Of course, that requires a good day.
From Austria’s attacking department, Christoph Monschein returned to the Cup field after the team’s forward feared failure until the end of the year. Alon Turgeman should also provide more fun accents. The duo don’t seem fully prepared for a mission from the start. Dominik Fitz could start. The 21-year-old was also absent for months, a 90-minute mission still seems illusory. Alexander Grünwald will definitely be missing. The Austrian captain saw yellow-red against St. Pölten and is suspended.
Peter Stöger reacts to rumors from Cologne: “I’m still there”
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Image: GEPA
