The Bundesliga wakes up from a short hibernation with only three weeks of preparation, which was pleasantly quiet at SKN with only one coronavirus case. There were no cases at all at Admira. However, you have to do without spectators in the stadium. Because the British mutation of the corona virus has also thwarted the Bundesliga. Should it be necessary, the ranks could remain empty until the end of the season.
“Of course we would have hoped otherwise. The fact is that it will certainly take longer before we can welcome our fans back to the stadium. However, we are implementing all measures in such a way that this will hopefully change again soon ”, says SKN trainer Robert Ibertsberger. “Especially in derbies, the fans are missing a lot, but I’m confident for the spring,” said Admira head coach Damir Buric optimistically. “On the other hand, we’re just happy that things are finally starting again.”
Ibertsberger remains “lead wolf”
In terms of sport, new players should lead the Admira out of the table cellar. Sports director Franz Wohlfahrt hopes to have increased the quality in the squad. At SKN, which is in seventh place, coach Robert Ibertsberger starts with a tailwind by extending his contract from the winter break. “This is something special for me, it is the first time for me that a contract extension has happened,” said Ibertsberger after renewing his working paper until the end of the 2021/22 season with an option for another year. With this step, the club is committed to continuity, emphasized the coach. “Now you can set plans and goals more specifically for the next few months.”
One of them is master group participation, which St. Pölten has already achieved in the first year of the new format in 2019. “Sixth place is not a must, but if it is possible, we want to take the chance,” said Ibertsberger and at the same time put it into perspective: “If we don’t make it, it won’t break the leg.” Salzburg loan from Samuel Tetteh should help was borrowed until the end of the season. “We wanted to fill the offensive rows twice and Samuel is a player who can be used as a center forward and also on the wing.”
With one exception, the upcoming opponent has always lost in the past eight rounds. Ibertsberger took that sensational 1-0 win against Salzburg as a warning. “It won’t be easy, for example against Salzburg you saw what Admira is capable of. With a new coach, they got a certain stability, they are good at the transition game. ”The first duel of the season went 5-0 to the SKN.
New offensive hopes in the south of the city
The Admira strengthened themselves in winter with left-back Matthias Ostrzolek. In addition, ex-Salzburg David Atanga and German-American Andrew Wooten – a center forward with experience in the second German Bundesliga – should raise the meager average of one goal per game. The derby is likely to come too early for the offensive duo. At Atanga was still not allowed to play on Friday afternoon.
“We observed in autumn that we had quality deficits in these positions. I do think that with them we have improved on paper. The truth then lies in the place, ”said Wohlfahrt to the APA. Trainer Damir Buric is convinced: “The new ones can make the difference.” The transfer window is open until February 8th. “If it is possible, we would of course like to strengthen ourselves”, said Buric in the prospect of further newcomers.
Wohlfahrt (contract until 2023) has been the sports director at Admira for almost half a year. “I have a lot of fun at Admira, even if we haven’t had the sporting success we want,” said the former ÖFB team goal. The address in the club, in which the main sponsor, Flyeralarm, played a key role, was direct and open. “If we have different opinions in the sports department, then we can discuss ‘class’. That’s part of the sport, you can’t be a ‘Mimoserl’. “
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