The big basement derby

Heraf likes it hot – Silberberger stays cool

Will WSG Tirol be celebrating on Saturday...

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Will WSG Tirol or Austria Lustenau cheer on Saturday? Andreas Heraf pushes and pushes and pushes. If it were up to words with emotion, Austria Lustenau would already be close to qualifying for the Champions League. The 56-year-old coach really knows every key on the motivational piano.

So far it has been successful. The former international (11 games) has led the Vorarlberg side out of a deep hole and back to the rest of Austria's top flight. Austria from the Ländle have celebrated two three-pointers since Heraf has been at the helm. And today, the prize for victory is even a farewell to the red lantern, which Lustenau have been carrying around the league since the end of August. You could say that talking brings points.

...or Austria Lustenau again?

(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

Silberberger prefers a more moderate approach
"Of course Andi Heraf caters to the emotions. What else is he supposed to do?" It's logical for WSG Tirol coach Thomas Silberberger that his counterpart is getting the squad hotter than hot for the basement clash on Saturday. Silberberger himself prefers the more moderate approach. Every day there were meetings, analyses and discussions about the Lustenau match. Without letting the emotions get too high: "You can't win a game with emotion alone," the Tyrolean lectured. And in any case, he doesn't need or want to emphasize the drama of the situation in every sentence: "Everyone knows what it's all about. The game has a lot of tension in it. That's what makes it so special," sighs the soon-to-be former WSG coach.

A draw is the most realistic result of all.

Thomas Silberberger

Or do the worries go away?
A defeat in Lustenau on Saturday would see Watten slip to last place. Not the end - but an annoying rucksack for the remaining eight rounds. With a draw, the trembling continues for WSG with a two-point lead over Lustenau. "A draw is the most realistic result of all," Silberberger thinks.

And with a win in the Ländle, the Tyroleans can get the worst of their worries off their chest. A five-point lead for eight rounds may not be a cushion, but it is a comfortable distance from the abyss.