Even one day after the bitter 0-1 loss at Admira, the sting at SV Guntamatic Ried is still deep. With a win in the Südstadt they could have taken the lead in the 2nd football league again – due to the defeat, the gap to their biggest promotion rivals grew to five points. This also annoys sports director Wolfgang Fiala: “It wasn’t a really good game from either team. With our quality, we simply have to draw.”
If things don’t work, the mechanisms of football take effect: which is why coach Maximilian Senft is – once again – up for discussion in Ried. The 35-year-old was already under heavy pressure last week before the duel against Kapfenberg (3-0). After the 0-1 loss at Admira, his personal situation has hardly improved. One point of criticism that the Ried coach has to put up with: His team failed several times in the previous season, especially in the key games against top teams – his team also missed a lot at Admira. Fiala: “In these duels we still haven’t managed to put our stamp on the game. Against Admira we were simply too bad on the ball.”
In the away game, some pillars were missing – such as Ante Bajic and Saliou Sane – and others were not yet at full strength. Nevertheless, Fiala is now primarily holding the players responsible: “There will be a clear message from me to the team. We have a lot of players who also have high expectations of themselves. But I would like to see them in these top games.
Ried’s weekly yes-no discussion
Fiala (still) expresses his trust in his trainer: “In terms of content and also because of his demeanor, despite his young age, Max is a great trainer. I also stand for continuity and don’t want to have a weekly yes-no discussion.” Local rivals Blau-Weiß Linz, among others, are a role model for him: “Blue-White also continued on the same path with coach Gerald Scheiblehner in the previous season, even though they got off to a really bad start. It shows that it can pay off.”
But Ried shouldn’t afford too many falls over anymore, Fiala also knows that: “I know my job. We have a clear goal and we can’t lose sight of that. That’s not the case at the moment.” The monthly board meeting will also take place on Monday, in which Fiala will also submit a sporting report. A change of coach is not an issue at the moment – yet. Because: In the event of another defeat in the upcoming away game against the amateurs of Sturm Graz, Admira could gain eight points with a win in Voitsberg. And then the international break awaits – a time that many clubs have already used to make changes in the sporting area…
ePaper
**Interview with Maximilian Senft – Coach of SV Guntamatic Ried**
*Interviewer:* Maximilian, thank you for joining us today. Despite the recent defeat against Admira, what are your thoughts on the performance of the team?
*Maximilian Senft:* Thank you for having me. Yes, the loss was certainly disappointing. We struggled with our ball control and didn’t create enough chances. It’s frustrating when we know we have the quality to compete better, especially in key matches.
*Interviewer:* Wolfgang Fiala mentioned that the team needs to perform better in significant games. How do you plan to address this issue moving forward?
*Maximilian Senft:* It’s true that we’ve had challenges in crucial encounters. We need to instill a stronger mentality and confidence in these situations. We have to learn from our mistakes and focus on our strengths. Training is key, and we will work hard to improve our execution in these high-pressure games.
*Interviewer:* There has been speculation about your position as head coach. How do you feel about the ongoing discussions regarding your future?
*Maximilian Senft:* I understand that discussions about my position come with the territory, especially in competitive sports. However, I believe in the process and have the full support of our sports director, Wolfgang. Consistency is important, and I am focused on improving our performance rather than getting caught up in speculation.
*Interviewer:* The gap to the top teams is widening. What will it take for SV Ried to catch up?
*Maximilian Senft:* We need to start winning matches consistently and show resilience, particularly against direct competitors. It’s about harnessing our potential and executing our game plan effectively. Every player has to take responsibility, and we need to come together as a unit in these pivotal moments.
*Interviewer:* As you prepare for the upcoming game against Sturm Graz’s amateurs, what message do you have for the players?
*Maximilian Senft:* I want them to remember that every game is an opportunity to showcase their talent and commitment. We need to fight for every point and make sure we’re raising our level. We have a clear goal, and it’s crucial we start putting points on the board.
*Interviewer:* Thank you for your insights, Maximilian. We wish you and the team the best of luck in the coming matches.
*Maximilian Senft:* Thank you! I appreciate your support. We’re determined to turn things around.
—
This interview reflects Maximilian Senft’s perspective and addresses the current challenges faced by SV Guntamatic Ried while also underscoring his commitment to the team and the journey ahead.
