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“Every player wants their performance in the stadium”

Rapid II won the last derby against the Young Violets 3:2.(Bild: SK Rapid/Manfred Szieber)

The Young Violets host Rapid II in the Eastern League derby on Friday (live from 7.25pm on krone.tv). For coaches Stephan Helm and Jürgen Kerber, this is their first match in the 3rd division. The motivation and emotions are boundless on both sides, with Grün-Weiß still unbeaten in the spring.

"The anticipation is great, the boys have trained really well - now we want to be rewarded," says coach Stephan Helm. Whose Young Violets will take on Rapid II in the "small" Eastern League derby at the Generali-Arena on Friday. "A very special game, a derby win is all the better. There's a healthy rivalry, a lot of emotion is guaranteed. You can tell that every player wants to be there and wants to make an appearance in the stadium. Everyone is hungry and motivated to the tips of their toes," says the 40-year-old.

Coach Stephan Helm is eager for his first match against the green and white.(Bild: FK Austria Wien)

who worked as a video analyst at Austria for six months until the summer of 2018. "I know the structures at the club, have met old friends again and was able to build on a good foundation. That certainly made it easier for me to get started," says Helm. His predecessor Emanuel Pogatetz (the coaching duo coached St. Pölten until October) moved to Crystal Palace in the Premier League as "co" in February. "I wished him all the best, of course. He works very meticulously and diligently. Coach Oliver Glasner already knew why he took Emanuel with him."

While Rapid II coach Jürgen Kerber, who completed his pro license with Helm, is also looking forward to the derby. "It's something unique, we don't need a table for that. We're going to favorites to win." Grün-Weiß are still unbeaten this spring, most recently celebrating a 3:1 win against Draßburg. "We didn't let ourselves get rattled even after falling behind. But we have to minimize our mistakes in possession and play a bit more mature soccer."