0-0 at Vienna Austria – a result that you always have to be proud of as a newcomer like FC Blau-Weiß Linz. That’s how Blue and White coach Gerald Scheiblehner classified it – even though his team had the majority at the distribution circle from the 17th minute onwards: “For me, the majority is a bit overestimated. It’s also very difficult once morest ten Austrians. If you don’t score at the front “You have to be happy with the point. For me it’s definitely a point won.”
A point that can also be decisive in the end: Since bottom team Austria Lustenau had lost the basement duel once morest WSG Tirol 1:2, Blau-Weiß was able to extend its lead over the bottom of the table to five points – and would have had the same points at the end thanks to the asterisk taken following the basic round. Not only this circumstance, but also the performance in the federal capital gives the Linz coach cause for optimism: “It was a good performance, we played courageously.”
Blue and white in the new system
The 47-year-old also showed courage when he made a system change for the best team in the qualifying group: Instead of the obligatory 3-4-3 formation, Scheiblehner sent his team onto the pitch in a 4-3-3 formation. “We rehearsed this during the international break. Against Austria it is also important to take Dominik Fitz out of the game, who always likes to drop back into midfield. It worked well with three players in the center.”
Will the Blue and Whites also use the new system in the coming games? Scheiblehner: “The team felt good, you might see that especially when Austria was still eleven. My team showed me once more that I can rely on them.”
Above all on the defensive: After three defeats, the Royal Blues kept a clean sheet in the last two games. Now all we have to do is start scoring goals once more. For example with striker Ronivaldo, who has been waiting for a goal for six games.
On Saturday, the Brazilian can try once more once morest WAC – although he was eliminated once morest Austria due to injury. “He took a hit. Painful, but not a serious injury,” Coach Scheiblehner gives the all-clear. A new failure would be really bitter due to the lack of alternatives: Ronivaldo’s storm competitor, Stefan Urlaub, was missing in Vienna. The 22-year-old is currently out of action due to a strained knee ligament.
Author
Raphael Watzinger
Sports editor
Raphael Watzinger
