Football: Wiener Austria Must Face Spaeri After Cup Exit

After the Cup exit in Voitsberg (2:3), Wiener Austria's focus is on the Football Conference League. On Thursday (18:00), Coach Stephan Helm's team faces the second leg against FC Spaeri in Tbilisi, with the "Violets" traveling to the Georgian capital with a 2:0 lead. The match is expected to be a heat battle, as temperatures well beyond the 30-degree mark are forecasted even during the evening game time.

Wiener Austria faces Spaeri after "bitter defeat"

Despite the travel and weather strains, Austria wants to show its true colors in Georgia. "We suffered a very bitter defeat and now, of course, we want to deliver a game at our performance maximum," explained Helm. The defeat against the Voitsberg third-division team has been addressed in Favoriten. "It was a severe disappointment. We have clearly addressed certain things," said the coach, who hopes for a learning effect from this defeat.

Against second-division team Spaeri, the Violets are favorites, as the Viennese already showed in the first leg. The only drawback a week ago was the poor chance conversion. Despite the heat, they want to appear dominant again, according to Helm. "The all-decisive thing is that we act aggressively and bravely, just as we did at home." Kelvin Boateng is not included, as the striker is injured and stayed in Vienna.

Banik Ostrava and Legia Warsaw possible opponents

If Austria achieves the expected advancement to the third qualifying round, the opponent there will be either Banik Ostrava or Legia Warsaw (first leg 2:2). Additionally, the tightly scheduled game plan would continue, as the first and return legs take place next week and the week after. Then, left-back Lee Tae-seok could already be part of the team, as the South Korean is reportedly on the verge of joining Favoriten according to media reports.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.