But fans were furious
With Hercules Pacult, Austria now wants to go to Europe!
International business is within Austria Klagenfurt's grasp - and for shareholder Zeljko Karajica, it can also be the goal! Successful coach Peter Pacult is only missing one "big one" on the list. But the organization was embarrassing in the 1:1 against Rapid. Rapid defender stands at the notepad.
Build a monument to Peter Pacult! It's a must in Klagenfurt now at the latest: Austria's coach belongs next to the Hercules statue on Neuer Platz - because just as legend has it that brave men once defended themselves against the raging and deadly Lindwurm, Austria Klagenfurt also flexes its muscles against the "big" Bundesliga clubs:
Since promotion in 2021, Pacult has knocked out almost all of the "giants" at least once: Rapid three times, Salzburg once (plus two draws), Austria Vienna once (and seven draws), Sturm once (one draw). Only LASK (four draws) is missing from the list. . .
Few resources
Anyone who makes it into the championship group for the third time with so few financial and organizational resources and so much adversity in the surrounding area deserves all the credit. That's why Peter Pacult fully deserves this "Krone" photo montage!
And now? "Hercules" Pacult can also dream of Europe. Never before has the chance been so great! Especially as there is only one point between third and sixth place - and fourth place would also entitle the team to qualify for the Conference League. "Everything is close, we will do everything we can to get the maximum out of it," emphasizes Pacult.
And partner Zeljko Karajica goes even further: "Once is luck, twice perhaps, but a third top six is simply skill. And of course we want to go to Europe. It would be silly if we didn't!" The Sportpark has already reserved the dates for this. .
All-or-nothing change
Another hero in the all-important 1:1 against Rapid on the last matchday of the basic round was, of course, Christopher Wernitznig. For four minutes, Austria Klagenfurt were no longer in the top 6, but in the qualifying group. Hartberg equalized against Sturm at 18:28 on Sunday to make it 1:1. Austria Klagenfurt were "down" at that point due to the 0:1 deficit against Rapid. Pacult prepared his all-or-nothing change shortly afterwards, wanting to bring on Robatsch in the 70th minute in order to set up defender Wimmer as a striker. . .
With a weak left foot
But then came "Wuschi" Wernitznig! Of all people, the man who has never missed a championship group in his entire career: Substituting for the hapless Irving in minute 64, "Wuschi" slammed his Violets into the top 6 for the third time in a row at 18:32: Because Arweiler skillfully laid off to Schwarz, who sent on Wernitznig - who then gave Rapid goalie Hedl absolutely no chance with his weak left-foot shot (74'). The arena shook twice. Because only the VAR decides "no offside" - 1:1.
Always in the top 6
Arrived as a joker, left the field as a hero: "Wuschi" had already scored the 2:2 in the derby against WAC this season - also coming off the bench. But his second goal of the season was even more important this time. "It would have been brutally bitter if we had ended up at the bottom after this great first half of the season. It's just wonderful - sorry that I demolished the corner flag out of sheer joy! The groundsmen will get a crate of beer from me," laughed Wernitznig, who has now made it into the top 6 four times with WAC and twice with Klagenfurt. Magnificent.
Sollbauer, Hinteregger. .
Apart from that, Austria Klagenfurt must look to the future in terms of personnel: The fact that Rapids defender Michael Sollbauer delivered an outstanding performance against Klagenfurt was also noted by Austria's management team. The 33-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, is said to be a hot candidate to succeed Wimmer, who unfortunately wants to leave the club. And the fact that Martin Hinteregger has already been contacted is no longer a secret since the recent "Krone" article (see below). . .
Fans ranting in the rain
While things are going great in sporting terms, Violett still has a lot of catching up to do in terms of organization. Before the match against Rapid, there were angry fans outside the EM Arena - because it took too long to get in in the pouring rain. "Everyone was ranting. I queued for a whole 45 minutes. I don't understand why a stadium with a capacity of 30,000 spectators is not equipped for a rush of 8,500 people," raged one fan.
According to the sports park, the organizer is responsible for the turnstiles and stewards. But luckily there's Pacult and his boys - who cover it all up. . .
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