Gorgeous result, now go get to the final and win that bloody thing!
Austria Wien Prepare For Bundesliga Run In
League leaders Austria Wien return to Bundesliga action this weekend for the first time since December, with a visit to 11th placed Admira Wacker, although the game comes just four days after their OFB-Cup Quarter Final victory over Rapid Wien on penalties and the suggestion is Christopher Steegmann may be forced into rotating his side ahead of the game. By the time Austria Wien kick off against Admira Wacker, they could find themselves ousted from top spot in the Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg just two points behind and playing their next game on Saturday, but based on form so far this season, Die Vielchen supporters will be confident in their teams ability to return to the top on Sunday evening.
Mid-Season Friendlies
Austria Wien head into the final four games of the initial stage of the Bundesliga campaign after a successful mid-season tour of Slovenia where Die Vielchen played three friendlies. Between intense training sessions at their training base in Ljubljana, Austria Wien came away with a 4-2 victory over NK Domzale with the returning Kevin Friesenbichler scoring a hat trick with Maximilian Sax grabbing the fourth. Christopher Steegmann’s team then met Olimpija Ljubljana, coming away with a 2-0 victory thanks to early goals from Maximilian Sax and Cristian Cuevas. In their final game of the mid-season tour, Die Vielchen came up against European regulars Maribor, with Bright Edomwonyi scoring a 56th minute equaliser to earn Austria Wien a draw and ensure they ended their tour unbeaten in their three games and raring to go ahead of that OFB-Cup Quarter Final victory over Rapid Wien.Transfer Activity
Austria Wien made just one signing during the January transfer window in the form of Marcel Canadi from second tier side Austria Lustenau. Canadi, 21, represents an investment for the future from Christopher Steegmann with the German confident that Canadi can learn and develop under the tutorage of club captain Alexander Grunwald who plays in the same position. Canadi, impressed in his three friendly performances in Slovenia and was given an extra time cameo against Rapid Wien in the cup in midweek, impressing in the limited time he had on the pitch.There were also three outgoing players with Christoph Martschinko joining English side Swansea City, Alon Turgeman returning to Israel to join Beitar Jerusalem and Christoph Monschein leaving to join Bundesliga rivals St. Polten. The trio made only a handful of appearances between the three players and from the outside would appear to not be heavily missed heading into the closing stages of the campaign although this will remain to be seen and should an injury crisis appear Austria Wien may look back on the decision to sell with regret.
Injury News
Austria Wien have been boosted by the return from injury of a few of their players who were suffering from long term injuries. Petar Gluhakovic, a young right back, has been missing all season having damaged his cruciate ligaments, whilst Kevin Friesenbichler missed the run in from September through to December through his own injury. Gluhakovic hasn’t featured during the mid-season friendlies, however Friesenbichler will be looking to push Bright Edomwonyi for a place in the starting XI, having scored a hat trick against NK Domzale.Dominik Fitz, Austria Wien’s 19 year old right winger is on his way back from a long term injury, but could still remain absent until the Bundesliga is split in two, whilst Florian Klein, the experienced right wing back, damaged his ankle ligaments against Rapid Wien in the cup and will miss the next two weeks of football.
Upcoming Fixtures
With just the four fixtures to come until the league is split in two, Austria Wien have nothing to worry about in terms of making sure they are in the top six. They are guaranteed a place in the fight for the title but will be hoping to further cement their place in the European spots and the title race with their remaining games. First up is the trip to Admira Wacker before a huge midweek tie against third placed Sturm Graz, who for so long this season have been the side pushing Die Vielchen the hardest for the top spot in the Bundesliga.Meanwhile, after their relatively poor start by their standards Red Bull Salzburg are now resurgent and look to be firm contenders for the title and could be top of the table as previously mentioned, by the time Austria Wien’s game against Admira Wacker kicks off. Austria Wien will host Red Bull Salzburg on Matchday 22, the last game before the split, a week after they host a Mattersburg side looking to break into the top six before the final game of this initial stage.
Comments
ScottT: See ya later Rapid! Auf Wiedersehen! Yeah it felt amazing to beat them on penalties!Jim: I saw it coming
Justice: Onwards we march
Jack: A fantastic result but it's not going to be easy to even reach the final let alone win the tournament!
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