It should be the perfect opportunity for GAK to gain a lot of confidence after the decisive game at the weekend against Rapid (1:1) and before Saturday’s away game to Salzburg (5 pm) and their first game to achieve. win from 9:00 pm 0 in the second round of the ÖFB Cup over Reichenau on August 28. In the round of 16 against the team of the second division Bregenz things turned out completely different, the athletes lost 1:2 in the Ländle and it seems that the euphoria that briefly arose with a change of coach has disappeared already.
New coach Rene Poms surprised him before kick-off and changed nine positions – only captain Lukas Graf and Michael Cheukoua were in the starting line-up against Rapid. “I wanted to give a chance to the players who were a bit unhappy,” said Poms, justifying his decision after the final whistle. “But if I want to show that I want to be a regular player for GAK, then I have to act differently.” “Poms can’t understand” that certain basic talents were missing. If I want to take the opportunity to be in the starting eleven, I will go into the game and eat the grass.”
Ultimately, the stalks in Bregenz remained untouched. Martin Kreuzriegler, who was coming back from a shoulder injury, misjudged a long ball, Graf was caught in a draft with Renan and the striker scored powerfully past Cup goalkeeper Christoph Nicht to take an early lead ( 7th). As the game progressed, the Graz team missed many excellent chances; it was only substitute Daniel Maderner who managed to equalize the score they deserved in the 75th minute.
Maderner: “It’s incomprehensible to me…”
But it didn’t last long: A few minutes later, Graf and Kreuzriegler didn’t look good again, Mario Vucenovic left them both standing and Nicht had no chance with his well-placed shot. “The goal must be allowed to pass, we must stand much more firmly,” said Maderner and added: “I don’t mind why we showed such a face.”
The GAK was not able to equalize again, also because great opportunities were missed again. “We were very careless with our chances, we were too soft defensively too – so you don’t deserve a game,” said Poms, who must now lift his team. “The worst thing that can happen to you in football is to lose a game because you didn’t put everything on the field.”
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good day, and welcome to our special segment on football insights. I’m joined today by renowned football analyst, Alex Müller. Thanks for being here, Alex!
Alex Müller (AM): Thanks for having me! It’s great to discuss the intricacies of the game.
TNE: We just witnessed an interesting weekend in the league where GAK faced Rapid and settled for a 1:1 draw. What are your thoughts on their performance?
AM: It was a mixed bag for GAK. They showed resilience in securing a draw against a challenging opponent like Rapid, but there’s no denying that they missed a chance to capitalize on their momentum. Given their recent struggles, especially with that unexpected loss to Bregenz in the ÖFB Cup, they needed a win to build confidence.
TNE: Speaking of that loss in the cup, the result seemed to take a toll on the team’s morale. What do you think contributed to such a sudden shift?
AM: The abrupt transition after the coaching change can often have unpredictable outcomes. Rene Poms made a bold decision to change nine players in the starting lineup against Rapid, which is quite significant. While it’s crucial to give players opportunities, such a drastic change can disrupt team chemistry and cohesion, especially against strong opponents.
TNE: That’s interesting. Poms aimed to shake things up, but it didn’t seem to work as planned. What do you think he was hoping to achieve with these changes?
AM: Poms likely wanted to rejuvenate the squad and give previously sidelined players a chance to prove themselves. The philosophy of rotation is common in football, but there’s a fine balance between providing opportunities and maintaining a stable unit. Following the brief euphoria after the coaching change, this might have backfired for them, as evidenced by their cup performance.
TNE: GAK now has an important away game against Salzburg on Saturday, where they need to regain their footing. What strategies do you believe they should employ to maximize their chances of success?
AM: GAK will need to focus on a solid defensive strategy while maximizing their counter-attacking opportunities. Salzburg has a strong attacking force, so maintaining a sturdy backline is vital. Additionally, finding space in transitions and utilizing their speed could catch Salzburg off guard. The key will be for GAK to play with confidence and take advantage of any opportunities they get.
TNE: Given this context, how crucial do you think it is for GAK to regain that winning mentality, especially after what has happened recently?
AM: It’s absolutely essential. A team’s mentality can greatly influence performance on the pitch. If they manage to pull off a strong showing or even a victory against Salzburg, it could act as a catalyst for the rest of the season. Conversely, another poor result could further dent their confidence and make it increasingly difficult to recover.
TNE: We’ll be keeping a close eye on that match! Lastly, how do you see GAK’s performance shaping up for the rest of the season given their current challenges?
AM: If they can stabilize their squad selection and build a consistent playing style, there’s potential to turn things around. However, it requires decisive leadership from the coaching staff and a committed response from the players. They have the talent; now it’s about resilience and belief.
TNE: Thank you, Alex, for your insightful analysis. It’s always a pleasure to hear your expert thoughts on the unfolding narratives in football.
AM: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how GAK navigates these challenges.
TNE: And thank you to our readers for tuning in. Stay with us for more updates on the world of football!