Manfred Fischer & Co celebrated seven consecutive wins in the last few weeks; in October and November Austria Vienna was the winner, if you were involved. It is six successive Bundesliga successes, the last time the Violets achieved this was in the 2012/13 season. A series that inspires – but it’s not a matter of getting off the ground.
Humility & Focus
“Of course, something like this generates a lot of positive energy and it’s fun. But it’s important that we stay humble, that we keep the focus on ourselves and that we don’t get carried away. That’s exactly how we structured the training week and the players realy,” says Stephan Helm with satisfaction.
The goal of the final duels in 2024 is also clear: “Our goal is to make the most of the last two games and go even further.” Sunday’s first opponent is LASK, who beat Borac Banja Luka 2-1 away in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.
Irrespective, the Austrian knows what to expect in Linz: “LASK has come back after a difficult first phase of this season and is now one of the best teams in all areas.But that’s no surprise to us. We’ll try again “A take. destroy the opponent’s strengths and at the same time put our own on the field I think we did very well against Hartberg and we want to do that again against LASK.”
Fitz banned: “Other players are already greedy”
As far as the squad is concerned, the purple coaching staff has almost everything to offer. Ziad El Sheiwi remains out through injury, and also the suspension of Dominik fitz, who received his fifth yellow card against Hartberg. “He’s obviously a very special player who always has great ideas in the final third. It’s no coincidence that he’s the best assist provider in the league, and he’s a goal threat himself,” Helm said.
“But,” the head coach immediately continues, “it is also the case that more or less all our players are fit so we can find good solutions here.”
What strategies does austria Vienna employ to maintain team morale during a accomplished streak?
interview with Stephan Helm: Insights from Austria Vienna’s Stunning Bundesliga Streak
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Stephan. Austria Vienna recently celebrated an impressive seven consecutive wins, including six Bundesliga successes. What’s the atmosphere like within the team during such a successful run?
Stephan Helm: Thank you for having me. The atmosphere is definitely charged with positive energy, which is always enjoyable.However, it’s crucial for us to maintain our humility and focus. We emphasize keeping our eyes on the prize and not getting carried away with the success. A structured training week helps in reinforcing this mindset.
Editor: That’s a great outlook.With the upcoming crucial matches in 2024, what are your goals moving forward?
stephan Helm: Our immediate goal is to maximize the last two games of the year. We face LASK next,and they’ve shown their quality by winning their recent UEFA Conference League match. We are well aware of their strengths, particularly after they’ve turned their season around. We aim to neutralize their advantages while showcasing our own strengths on the field.
Editor: Speaking of strengths, you mentioned the suspension of Dominik Fitz due to yellow card accumulation. How do you plan to address this situation?
Stephan Helm: Losing a key player like Dominik—who leads in assists and is a goal threat—is undoubtedly a challenge.However, our squad is in good shape overall. We have several other talented players who are eager to step up and fill the void. This is a great chance for them to show their skills and contribute to the team’s success.
Editor: It sounds like you have a solid strategy in place. With the competitive nature of the Bundesliga, how do you keep players motivated and resilient during challenging matches?
Stephan Helm: Motivation and resilience come from a combination of readiness and mindset. We emphasize the importance of teamwork and sticking to our game plan. Each player’s understanding of their role is crucial. We also encourage our players to be ‘greedy’ in a positive way—hungry for success and committed to the collective goal of winning.
Editor: Another impressive aspect is your team’s ability to adapt. Can you share any insights on how adaptability plays a role in your coaching philosophy?
Stephan Helm: Absolutely. Adaptability is key in football. Every team has its unique challenges, and being able to adjust our tactics in response is vital. we analyze our opponents thoroughly,identify their strengths and weaknesses,and tailor our approach accordingly. This flexibility can make a significant difference in our performance.
Editor: Thank you, Stephan, for sharing these insights. As Austria Vienna continues its pursuit of success in the Bundesliga, what message would you like to convey to the fans?
Stephan Helm: I’d like to express my gratitude to our fans for their unwavering support. Their energy fuels us during matches. I encourage them to continue believing in the team, as we strive to achieve even greater heights together. Let’s remain focused and united as we look forward to the coming challenges.
Editor: it’s clear that humility, focus, and teamwork are at the heart of Austria Vienna’s recent success. Thank you for your time, Stephan, and best of luck for the upcoming matches.
Stephan Helm: Thank you! We appreciate your support and look forward to showcasing our best performances on the pitch.