Now LIVE: Rapid Vienna vs. Austria Vienna on the ticker – football

“The momentum speaks more for Rapid. But recently they once again left the top of the table 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, must 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.

However, it is 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.”

Rapid missed the jump to the top after 3: 4 in an exchange of blows with Ried and had to be pushed into third position by LASK. 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 were separated 2-2. The record 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 an advantage with one more day off. But it won’t make a difference, we are used to the pace,” he said. His team wants to accelerate again on Sunday. “The derby is always such that 22 players are energized. It’s an open game, I don’t see favorites,” explained Nastl. Your boss is already “burning” 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.

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. “Now many things can be positive,” said the coach ahead of 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 forward feared he would be out until the end of the year. Alon Turgeman should also provide more fun accents. The duo don’t seem to be 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 has been suspended.

LIVE Ticker for the Vienna Derby: Rapid Vienna vs. Austria Vienna