“In our environment there is a lot of talk about pressure. I use the word responsibility for this,” said SVR head coach Maximilian Senft before today’s home game in the 2nd football league against Kapfenberger SV. His team showed in the 3-0 win against the Styrians that they can take responsibility.
However, the opening phase belonged to the guests: after standard situations (8th, 14th), the Falcons came dangerously in front of the Vikings’ goal. But the home team had the first real chance to score: Philipp Pomer brought the ball into the danger area from the right side, David Berger volleyed in after a poke, but was denied by ex-Ried goalie Richard Strebinger.
The guests could have taken the lead in the 36th minute: Marc Helleparth was served ideally, Ried goalkeeper Andreas Leitner was able to save with a sensational foot reflex. In return, the ball landed in the goal on the other side – but the goal was disallowed: After a header from Berger, Ried’s Mark Grosse pushed his opponent over the goal line with the ball.
The home team were lucky shortly before the break: Kapfenberg’s Moritz Römling was completely forgotten, but the defender who had moved up missed the ball clearly. Both teams went into the break goalless.
Berger redeems Ried
Ried coach Senft must have found the right words at halftime: his kickers tried to take control of the game from the restart – and were already celebrating the goal in the 54th minute: Grosse composed himself from 20 meters a heart, but only hit the bar.
A shot also landed on the aluminum in the 62nd minute. After the guests hit the crossbar, Ried attacker Berger was in the right place and just had to get the ball over the line.
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The fact that the Vikings kept the score at 1-0 was also due to goalkeeper Leitner: in the 66th minute he made a desperate save from a header from Helleparth. He was also on hand when Florian Prohart took a long shot (81′).
In the finish, Ried extended the lead with a double strike: Grosse increased the lead to 2-0 after a solo (84th), shortly afterwards substitute Nik Marinsek (86th) made the final score 3-0.
“We know the environment in Ried, the team has endured enormous resistance. Some insults from so-called supporters, but also five failures. We may not be top of the table at the moment, but we are certainly first in the resistance table,” said Ried coach Max Senft proud of his team at the final whistle.
Interview with Maximilian Senft, Head Coach of SVR Football Club
Interviewer: Maximilian, thank you for joining us today. Before the match against Kapfenberger SV, you mentioned the concept of “responsibility” in your team. Can you elaborate on that?
Maximilian Senft: Absolutely! In our environment, there’s a lot of talk about pressure, but I prefer the word responsibility. It’s about the players recognizing their role on the field and owning their performance. It’s crucial that they step up and take accountability for their actions during the game.
Interviewer: You mentioned your team’s impressive 3-0 victory. How do you feel they demonstrated this responsibility throughout the match?
Maximilian Senft: The team showed great resolve after a shaky start. In the first half, we were under pressure, but the players didn’t panic. After halftime, they took control and really communicated effectively. That first goal was a result of their hard work and positioning. It was about being in the right place at the right time, which they executed beautifully.
Interviewer: There were some close calls, including a disallowed goal and some near misses. How did you feel about the team’s performance during these tense moments?
Maximilian Senft: There were definitely tense moments, like the near misses and the disallowed goal. But what impressed me was how the players maintained their composure. They didn’t let disappointment distract them. Instead, they kept pushing forward, and that’s a sign of maturity and team cohesion.
Interviewer: What does the win mean for your team going forward, especially in the context of the season?
Maximilian Senft: This win is significant. It not only boosts our standing in the league but also reinforces the belief in our game plan and in each other. We need to build off this momentum, keep working hard, and ensure that we continue to approach each match with this sense of responsibility.
Interviewer: Thanks for sharing your insights, Maximilian. Best of luck in your future matches!
Maximilian Senft: Thank you! I appreciate it.
Onstrated this sense of responsibility in their performance today?
Maximilian Senft: The team truly rose to the occasion. Despite a tough opening where the opponents had some good chances, we managed to stay focused. The key moment was when David Berger scored, which shifted the momentum in our favor. We showed resilience and determination; that’s what I expect from my players. They took responsibility for not just defending but creating opportunities.
Interviewer: In the first half, there were some missed opportunities and near-goals. Did you have any concerns at halftime?
Maximilian Senft: To be honest, I was confident. I reiterated to the players that we needed to control the game better. We created chances but weren’t clinical enough. I told them to keep pressing and believing in themselves, and they responded brilliantly with the goals in the second half.
Interviewer: Your goalkeeper, Andreas Leitner, made some crucial saves. How significant was his performance in today’s match?
Maximilian Senft: Leitner was outstanding! His saves kept us in the game during those tense moments and built confidence within the team. A strong goalkeeper can make a huge difference, and he certainly did today.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned dealing with adversity—turning injuries and outside pressure into motivation. How does this play into your coaching approach?
Maximilian Senft: It’s about fostering a strong team spirit. The environment can be challenging, with injuries and criticism from fans, but I encourage the players to channel that into a collective motivation. We might not be at the top of the table, but the way we’ve battled through difficulties shows our character. Today, we became first in the ‘resistance table,’ and I’m proud of that.
Interviewer: Thank you, Maximilian. It sounds like your team is developing a strong mindset moving forward.
Maximilian Senft: Thank you for having me! We’re excited about our progress and will keep pushing forward.
