Manfred Schmid |

24.09.2021

"Must become more precise, agile and consistent"

The disappointment after the elimination in the Cup was huge, the next task in the Bundesliga is already imminent. Coach Manfred Schmid is preparing his team for the away game against Hartberg (Sunday, 14:30) and expects a reaction.

Tickets for the Austria sector are available online & on the day of the match on site

"It's like when you're doing well in a board game and then you get kicked out and have to go back two squares." - Manfred Schmid

On Tuesday evening, Austria Wien was eliminated in a penalty shootout against second-division team Kapfenberg. "A big disappointment," emphasized coach Manfred Schmid: "A defeat like that changes the mood of every single person - it's like when you're doing well in a board game and then you get kicked out and have to go back two squares. The Cup exit is very unfortunate, but we've worked through the game and discussed it with the team."

In the Bundesliga, most teams are still very close. Places four to eleven are only two points apart. For Austria, it's off to Styria again this weekend. Hartberg (6th) has one more point on its account than Violett (10th) after eight rounds.

"Do everything to win the game".

"I expect the team to tear themselves apart for each other and we will do everything to win the game. It will be crucial that we become more precise in our passing game and get more movement in our play. We have to be more consistent in the final third and make better use of our opportunities," explains Manfred Schmid.

Kurt Russ took over as head coach at Hartberg in the summer, and Dario Tadic is the top scorer with four goals. The Styrians celebrated their two wins of the season in the 1st round against Rapid and in the 7th round against Wolfsberger AC. Of the last five games, Hartberg lost only one, 0:1 against RB Salzburg:

"Hartberg has already shown this season that they can play good soccer in different systems. We will prepare well and go into this game fully focused," says coach Manfred Schmid.

In terms of personnel, there is no news. Vesel Demaku is missing (yellow/red against Altach), otherwise all players are ready for action.