In the ÖFB Cup

Bregenz fights for the semi-finals in Wolfsberg

Lars Nussbaumer and his team-mates from SW Bregenz will visit the WAC today.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The first highlight of the season for SW Bregenz, the second division team from the Ländle, plays today in the ÖFB Cup quarter-finals at Bundesliga club Wolfsberger AC. And coach Regi van Acker and his team have no intention of hiding. A surprise can only be achieved with a little risk.

If you want to win a game, you have to score a goal. And to do that you have to take a little risk," says SW Bregenz coach Regi van Acker ahead of today's quarter-final duel in the ÖFB Cup at Wolfsberger AC, where the second division side from the Ländle will go into the game as clear underdogs against the Bundesliga side. Nevertheless, the provincial capital team will not be hiding in the Lavanttal Arena, as that would go against the coach's philosophy. "We have a lot of respect, but no fear," the Belgian makes clear, "we have a plan in place."

And that plan was rehearsed this week - only the third in the Black & Whites' spring preparations. "It was like a championship week, we trained specifically for the game," explained Van Acker. He warns against the home side's offense in particular. "They have a very dangerous player in Thierno Ballo and an experienced center forward in Markus Pink. There's a lot of quality in the team."

Bregenz have already had to contend with the Bundesliga tempo that the Carinthians will bring to the pitch during this preparation. "We noticed that in the test against Altach, where we had problems in the early stages," said the SW coach, "that can't happen to us today - this is no longer a preparation game."

WAC coach Didi Kühbauer knows SW coach Regi van Acker from his time at Mattersburg.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Van Acker still knows his coaching counterpart Dietmar Kühbauer from his first stint in Bregenz around 20 years ago, and he remembers him well. "He played for Mattersburg back then and had an incredible mentality. And he's now passing that on to his team as coach," says the 69-year-old, "but we'll also bring that mentality to the game."

The convalescing defender Stefan Umjenovic will also be in the stadium today.

(Bild: Krone)

Everyone on board
The entire squad made the trip to Wolfsberg, including new signings Vasilije Delibasic and Nicolas Rossi, albeit in the stands. "That's important for their integration, so they can experience something big with us right away," explains Van Acker. The convalescing defender Stefan Umjenovic will also be in the stadium. And Adriel and Anteo Fetahu, who have been struggling recently, will also be fit.