344th Vienna Derby "A Sporting and Emotional Major Event"

Wiener Austria aims to score in the tenth league game in a row to keep Green-White at a distance in the title race. For the Hütteldorfers, the 344th Vienna Derby is about staying connected to the top of the football Bundesliga. Two days before the clash in Vienna-Favoriten, the two arch-rivals showed unity.

Press Conference Before 344th Vienna Derby at City Hall

In the first joint press conference in about 15 years at the "neutral" city hall, the coaches and officials of both clubs expressed solidarity on Friday following the riots in September 2024. "It is a nice sign that this Vienna Derby will take place on equal terms, with fairness. Because togetherness is very important for our city," said Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ). "It is a major sporting and emotional event."

The situation promises a heated confrontation - on the pitch. Austria is in second place in the table after 17 rounds, six points ahead of Rapid in fourth place, with Robert Klauß's team nine points behind leaders Sturm. The Rapid coach has the opportunity to expand his own derby success record in his first guest appearance at the distribution circle: The last two duels went to Green-White, which was last achieved by the Rapid players in 2017. Only Hans Krankl managed three wins in the first three derbies as Rapid coach in the 1989/90 season.

However, Austria can rely on the exclusive support of their own fans, as for the first time in ten years, a Vienna Derby will take place without opposing supporters. Only home fans are allowed at the next three derbies as well. "How big the disadvantage will be, we will see on Sunday," said Klauß, who will miss the loud supporters in the guest sector. "It really hurts us," emphasized the German, "because we need it, because it does us good."

Vienna Derby: Austria Vienna Home Power in Football Bundesliga

Moreover, the Violets are currently a home power. In the Generali Arena, the Helm team is the only team in the league still unbeaten in eight home games this season (seven wins), and Rapid has been waiting for a full success in Vienna-Favoriten since September 2019 and six winless away derbies. "We are aware of Austria's statistics and data. We have also prepared the team for this," said Klauß, whose team hopes for redemption and the first league win in four games after the botched spring start against WAC (1:3).

"It will be an up and down," predicted Klauß, who has no new absences to complain about. His counterpart Stephan Helm longed for an "absolute top game." "Everyone is already eager," said the Austria coach, who looked forward to the violet backdrop with more than 15,000 spectators. "It is fundamentally a nice thing that the entire Austria stadium will be full of Austria fans." However, Helm emphasized that the ideal state is still a stadium where two different parties are represented in the stands.

The Violets also gained further self-confidence in the first two games after the winter break away against double winner Sturm. In the ÖFB Cup, they advanced to the semifinals with a 2:0 victory, and the 2:2 last Friday in the league, although it ended the violet winning streak of eight league games, still left the Austrians optimistic. "We trust in our strengths and can build on a very good foundation," said Helm, who must do without the long-term injured, the suspended Matteo Perez Vinlöf, and the still ailing Philipp Wiesinger.

(APA/Red)

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