GAK welcomes Leoben

Chilling the champagne? “Definitely not yet!”

Captain Marco Perchtold doesn't want any champagne just yet.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

GAK are marching inexorably towards promotion to the Bundesliga in the Second Division. They have a 14-point lead over Leoben, who play in Liebenau on Saturday. Captain Marco Perchtold doesn't want to know about the chilled champagne just yet. But the leaders are showing nerves of steel this year.

The GAK can already chill the champagne! Almost all experts now agree on this. The leaders currently have a 14-point lead in the Second Division with just nine rounds left to play. And there are no signs that this could change relatively soon. In the six games so far this spring, they have won four and drawn two. 

Captain Marco Perchtold is still throwing himself into it at the age of 35.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Chill the champagne? "No, definitely not!", says captain Marco Perchtold, not wanting to hear any premature popping of the cork. "Mathematically, it's still possible. And until then, we'll remain humble and do our job. But as things stand, we're playing a good season and we want to keep it that way." If GAK continue to march on like this and don't miss out on the competition, then the home game against Admira on May 3 (8.30pm) will be a celebration at the latest. 

Perchtold's future is still open
One of GAK's greatest assets this season has been their nerves of steel - 10 of their 21 games have been won with a one-goal difference. In comparison: In the previous season, GAK had seven draws to their name after 21 rounds, this time it's only three so far. "We know what we can do and what our strengths are. We defend well as a team as a whole, which is also reflected in the fact that we concede so few goals," says Perchtold, who has not yet decided whether to extend his contract or end his career, despite conceding just 18 goals. "And we have the quality up front that something can always happen. Then you also win close games."

The GAK can rely on its fans.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

On Saturday afternoon (14:30), the runners-up Leoben come to the Merkur Arena for the top match. The captain does not believe that Leoben are exhausted due to the cup game against Rapid (0:3). "I don't see that as an advantage. I've seen for myself what kind of euphoria can arise in a game like this in front of so many fans. Also because there will be a lot of fans in the stadium again." Around 7300 tickets have already been sold in advance, and the league season record of 6120 set last week by Ried against GAK is shaky.