Lustenau or Altach

Will the last Ländle derby be a match of destiny?

Altach have come out on top in the three special derbies so far this season.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

For two seasons, soccer fans have been able to enjoy spicy Ländle derbies. But that will come to an end after this season. Because one Vorarlberg team - it looks like Lustenau - will have to make the bitter journey to the second division. Irony of fate: the two teams meet in Altach in the final round, which could lead to a possible final showdown. 

For this to happen, Austria would have to win the next two games, but Altach would not be allowed to pick up a point. Perhaps "Director of Football" has an absolute Hollywood thriller in store for the Ländle fans as the final climax. The three derbies so far have been the games of destiny for both teams and have had a decisive influence on the relegation issue.

In the first derby, Altach were able to celebrate early on.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

• August 26, 2023: Altach won the first duel of the season in Lustenau 3:0, with goalkeeper Domenik Schierl's blunder after just two minutes setting the scene.

Nikolai Baden Frederiksen and his team-mates were still annoyed about the 3-0 defeat in the second Ländle derby of the season.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

• December 5, 2023: The second encounter in the Cashpoint Arena (postponed by three days due to the onset of winter) was also a clear-cut 3-0 win for the home side. Altach played with great commitment, while Lustenau's performance under the direction of sports coordinator Alexander Schneider was subterranean.

Third derby, third defeat - Lustenau on the ground.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

• April 13, 2024: Altach celebrated a 1:0 victory in Bregenz in the qualifying round. Heraf's team were punished for their despondent, scaredy-cat soccer, while Standfest's men actually had everything under control.

The last Ländle derby in the Bundesliga for the time being will take place on May 18 - possibly a showdown in a class of its own.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Without these three deserved victories in the Ländle duels, the relegation battle would be a real neck-and-neck race. If you deduct the derbies, Altach have only won two games in the entire season. The same number as Lustenau. Altach's four more draws hardly matter. The fate of the Ländle clubs has therefore clearly been decided in the derbies so far.