Before the West derby

Austria coach Heraf is like team boss Rangnick

The new coach has got Lustenau back on track. Now Andy Heraf is spoiled for choice when it comes to his squad ahead of today's (17) West derby against WSG Tirol. "I feel the same way as Rangnick," he says ahead of the key game.

ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick is already dreading June 7 a little. That's when he has to select the squad and tell some players that they won't be at the European Championship. "I can well understand how the team boss feels. Because I feel the same way - but I have to make this decision every week and show some players the red card and banish them to the stands," says Lustenau coach Andy Heraf. "It hurts me personally for every single one of them."

It's actually strange that the team at the bottom of the table, who could finally be able to shed the red lantern with a home win against WSG Tirol today, can draw on such an abundance of squad members. The reason: apart from the long-term injured Raphael Devisate, who was brought in more as a prospect player anyway, the entire squad is practically fit as a fiddle. Even Stefano Stefanovic is back in training after tearing his cruciate ligament, but it would still be too early for him to play. If there are no suspensions, at least five men will have to sit out.

A trump card in the relegation battle
But it is precisely this full selection and fitness that should be the trump card in the relegation battle. Over the winter, the Viennese has taught his players exactly what roles they have to fulfill on the pitch. Discipline and pragmatism are paramount. If you don't play along, you have to watch. "But no one does me this 'favor', everyone is eager to participate in training," confirms Heraf. Run, fight, bite until you drop - and then wait for the special moments up front, is the motto.

Lustenau have gone unbeaten three times in a row recently, picking up eight points from six games in the spring, and have regained the respect of their opponents. The team can also do more than mix concrete. Heraf: "We can adapt to anything, we've tried a lot of new things in training and everything has worked out. I don't think WSG can surprise us today."