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WAC President Riegler has to go bald after a sensational climb. Before the draw, the Lavantaler has no wishes. “It’s an indescribable feeling,” said goalkeeper Kofler after the 1-0 win over Feyenoord.
After huge successes at the premiere in 2019, WAC was able to really make their way into the international spotlight during their second Europa League group stage appearance. The 1-0 win over Feyenoord Rotterdam capped a sensational autumn this Thursday, with Carinthians marking a new milestone for the club. “It’s an indescribable feeling. That we, as a little WAC winter in such a group, is incredible,” said WAC goalkeeper Alexander Kofler.
With ten points, second place behind Dinamo Zagreb was confidently achieved, as was the case at 4: 1 in the Netherlands, the traditional Dutch club were able to put themselves in their place. There were also four points in the duels with CSKA Moscow. “We made history and we will continue to enjoy the last few months for a long time. We didn’t go any further, the way we did it was impressive,” said Ferdinand Feldhofer, WAC coach full of joy.
Captain Michael Liendl saw it this way too: “Hibernating internationally with a club like Wolfsberger AC, which no one has ever seen on the football map before, is really great. No one can take that away from you, we will look back inside. 10.15 years and say how wonderful it was. “
Consequently, the cheering scenes turned out to be lengthy on what Liendl said was an “absolutely exceptional day.” The representatives of the media understood this: the fans could not because of the coronavirus pandemic, in the stadium not only from a distance. Shortly after the press conference began, Kofler and Co. burst into the room, Feldhofer and Liendl were invited to beer showers, and there was shouting and singing. “We are just an exceptional group,” Liendl later emphasized. The team spirit is very strong. “Everyone gets along, there is no theater, play or not, that is extraordinary and I have not seen it like this before,” said the director of the center of the field, referring to one of the secrets of success.
In the late fall of his career, the 35-year-old is back in top form. After 15 competitive games this season, he has eight goals and seven assists, four times in the Europa League. He put his current promotion almost on par with his childhood dream, the jump abroad. “That, of course, is very close to the top,” Liendl said. For Feldhofer, the success was even more important, as he was able to achieve something historic as a coach on his first attempt at the European Cup. “I was already in the fortunate position with Sturm to have survived the Champions League group stage, but he was just a member of the squad. It was a nice moment, but nothing is about this day and the event,” emphasized the WAC -Coach.
Success should also have an impact on the club boss, Dietmar Riegler. “I’m happy if he has to go bald,” Liendl said, giving insight into the inside stakes. The 54-year-old is closely related to the success of the Carinthians. “He put a lot of money and passion into it, it’s wonderful that we can give something back to a historically successful team,” Liendl said. For Feyenoord coach Dick Advoccat it was anything but a pleasant evening. “WAC played a simple football and did very well. You have to congratulate your opponent, he deserved to win,” said the Dutchman.
Already on Monday (1:00 pm) the WAC will have clarity on who it will face in the sixteenth final on February 18 (at home) and February 25 (away). Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal, Leicester City (all ENG), AC Milan, AS Roma, SSC Napoli (all ITA), Bayer Leverkusen, 1899 Hoffenheim (both GER), Villarreal (ESP), Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven (both NED ), Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), Club Bruges (BEL) and Glasgow Rangers (ECO) are possible opponents.
Feldhofer showed no desire. “For me, the group’s opponents were already big names. I haven’t lost any thought about what to expect,” said the 41-year-old. Liendl “didn’t care” who was waiting at the co-premiere. “We know that it will most likely be a really good club, it will be special matches.”
But he expressed another wish, namely the hope that he would be able to compete again in front of the fans. “It hurts when no one is in the stadium and you have those experiences and you can’t share it with the fans,” said the former Dutch legionnaire. There was no penalty for his team despite the tasks in the league. “You don’t experience something like that every day, guys should enjoy the moment, but of course within the frame,” Feldhofer said. Starting Friday morning, the full concentration will apply to the league game with Austria on Sunday. “We still have to improve a bit in the league,” the WAC coach knows.
