Eastern League relegation battle

Only praying will help Draßburg now

Worry lines for Draßburg coach Michael Porics. The situation is extremely precarious.(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Almost everything went against Draßburg at the start of the second half of the season. The red-and-gold Ostliga side are stuck deep in the basement of the table. It would take a small footballing miracle if they were to avoid relegation. 

They were probably the better team over 90 minutes. But they ended up empty-handed again. In addition, Oberwart and Neusiedl are now a long way off after their victories. Draßburg once again failed to keep a clean sheet (only once this season) and had to swallow a 2-0 defeat against Leobendorf. To be more precise, to digest. Although they had a few chances themselves, they failed to put the ball in the opponent's goal. Also because the keeper had a great day. But in the end, one thing is certain: a glance at the Eastern League table will probably make the red and gold representative shudder.

If one assumes that there will be (at least) three teams relegated from the Regionalliga Ost - which is what everything points to at the moment - the only thing left for ASV to do is pray. The penultimate team would have to pick up ten more points than Ardagger in the remaining 13 rounds, eleven more than Oberwart. And that after they themselves have only nine points in 17 games. It all sounds like a soccer miracle that should come true in the next few weeks. Retaining their place in the league is a Herculean task, while they also have to hope that their rivals fall over.

Draßburg (Schimandl, right) is threatened with a major collapse towards the Burgenlandliga.(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

That's why we're certainly not going to wear our bathing shoes. We believe in ourselves. But we also know that it will be brutally difficult.

Draßburgs Trainer Michael Porics über die Ist-Situation.

However, being stuck in the relegation mire is no reason for coach Michael Porics to raise the white flag. "That's why we're certainly not wearing our bathing shoes. We believe in ourselves. But we also know that it's going to be brutally difficult." The coach is at least encouraged by the "new face" of Draßburg. "There's life in our squad. The boys are fired up and want to tear themselves apart on the pitch." That is a clear plus for the coaching team and the spirit in the squad.

Facts speak a clear language

While the statistics and facts speak for themselves. Unfortunately against ASV. They have the worst defense with Mauerwerk, one of the most harmless attacks, the second fewest wins and the most defeats. There is not much to suggest - at least in terms of the figures - that the colossal turnaround will happen, or more precisely, that it can be achieved. But as we all know, things have often happened in soccer that could hardly be explained.

ASV club boss Christian Illedits (left) has not lost faith - but is also a realist.(Bild: ASV Draßburg)

There are many indications that Draßburg will be playing in the Burgenlandliga next season. Even if, logically, this is not communicated internally. But the club is not naive. "We're certainly already thinking about it, you have to be honest," says club boss Christian Illedits. However, they are not (yet) pursuing a "two-track approach". "The focus is clearly on the Eastern League and the next few weeks. Even if we are more likely to be in the Burgenlandliga in terms of percentages in the future. I would say 60:40."

The next three rounds will be decisive. If we don't score accordingly, we know where the journey will take us.

Draßburgs Klubboss Christian Illedits

Logically, however, there is no giving up for the ASV president. "The last performance is encouraging. There is full confidence in the coaching team and the squad." Even though the upcoming games will probably clarify which league they can plan for. Illedits knows that too. "The next three rounds will be decisive. If we don't score accordingly, but the other clubs ahead of us do, we know where the journey will take us."

Rapid II (A), Sportclub (H) and Mauerwerk (A) are Draßburg's opponents. Due to the absolutely precarious situation in the table, they probably need at least six points. In other words, two thirds of the points they have picked up so far ...