Thinly manned

Grünau’s defense could still become a problem

Wals-Grünau started the Western League spring with a 2:1 win. Two injury-related substitutions caused the new manager some concern in the meantime. If there are longer-term absences in the defense, there could be a bottleneck.

Successful debut: Wals-Grünau coach Christoph Knaus celebrated a narrow 2:1 win against Röthis on his coaching debut in the Western League. "I'm really happy for the team, I can only take my hat off," said the 39-year-old with relief. The Grünau team had another reason to party with the win. Central defender Philip Kanzler celebrated his 22nd birthday on Saturday: "I think we deserved the three points!"

Full at the front, tight at the back
But success was a difficult task. Two injury-related substitutions in the person of right-back Manuel Hauk and central defender Thomas Pertl put the Walsers in trouble (both are likely to have got off lightly). "Of course the losses hurt us, especially as we're not as well-staffed at the back as we are at the front," says Kanzler. With him and captain Pertl, there are only two regular central defenders in the squad. In the event of long-term injuries, Knaus could have second thoughts.

The players and Pertl, meanwhile, rave about the new manager: "There's a new philosophy, a new intensity and new momentum, which is good for us." Meanwhile, Marco Rottensteiner is not available for this week's training session, as he and Austrias Yannic Fötschl are both auditioning for second division side SW Bregenz.