Two Germans Take Center Stage in the 342nd Vienna Derby

The Rapid coach responded to questions about the potential negative effects of a bankruptcy with a defiant “And what if we win”, referring to the club’s recent 1-0 victory against BW Linz. Since then, the 39-year-old coach has been striving daily to dispel the negative feelings, disillusionments and disappointments that have accumulated over the years among the players and club employees. His tactics involve a meticulous approach rather than an exaggerated self-confidence typified by the slogan “We are Rapid, and who are you?” popular during the club’s last period of success.

The coach’s training methods are described by Rapid players as intense, detail-oriented and sometimes surprising. On some days, he consciously steps back to observe, leaving the communication to his assistant coaches. Other days, he firmly takes control, making clear statements and demands.

The coach, who is also a trained sports scientist and a lecturer in football at a university, pays attention to statistics that directly impact the game. This means focusing more on one’s own standards and predicting where the opponent will cross.

Despite the club’s disappointing record of eleven home derbies without a win, the coach remains undeterred. He emphasizes to the players, “There can only be one winner – and it will be us.”

A derby victory would solidify the coach’s place in the club’s history and give him a boost in the league standings. Sports director Markus Katzer believes a win against Austria could significantly lift the team’s spirits.

The coach understands the significance of a derby victory from his experience in Nuremberg, where his last derby resulted in a 2-0 win over Fürth, their first victory in five years.

On the other side, Michael Wimmer, the coach of the opposing team, is trying to manage his emotions before his fifth derby. His team has already experienced their fair share of pressure in previous matches, yet they managed to pull through with victories and draws.

Wimmer’s derby statistics are promising with two victories and two draws in four meetings with the Rapid team. The team’s recent performance, averaging 2.1 points per game, is the best in the league for the current period. However, Wimmer remains realistic, knowing they cannot maintain this average indefinitely.

Wimmer doesn’t let internal club criticism or broken promises about player acquisitions affect his calm demeanor. His work is well-recognized, and he has even been considered for positions at Kaiserslautern and Standard Liège.

Looking ahead to the 342nd Vienna Derby, Wimmer does not see it as a deciding factor for participation in the championship group. He believes there are still two crucial games ahead. He also dismisses the excessive speculation about derby tactics, pointing out that things often happen unexpectedly, rendering pre-planned tactics obsolete.

Wimmer’s relaxed attitude appears to have rubbed off on the Violets, who showed a certain ease during the derby week’s training. “I didn’t see any doggedness,” he said.