Bregenz is waiting:

The “GAK terror” celebrates his comeback

Daniel Maderner (r.) turned a blind eye to Bregenz's 1:0 win in Graz in the fall

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

The Reds want to take the next step towards the second division title in Bregenz today. But Regi Van Acker's coaching debut is a warning.

There are still six rounds to play in the second division and with an eight-point lead, GAK would have a few missteps to make. But Messner's squad want to book the eight points they still need as quickly as possible. An explosive match against an old acquaintance awaits in Bregenz on Saturday (14:30)

GAK have not lost against Bregenz for 21 years - in the last six encounters they have won six times and scored 11:1 goals. Maderner scored the winner in the 1-0 win in the fall. That looks very promising from Graz's point of view - but someone who knows how to win against the Reds only celebrated his comeback on the Bregenz coaching bench last week: Regi van Acker is standing in for Markus Mader until the end of the season. The 69-year-old Belgian, who most recently led FC Dender to promotion, coached in the Ländle from 2002 to 2005 and was also responsible for Bregenz's last win against GAK. On November 30, 2003, he brought Walter Schachner's future champions to their knees with a 1-0 win. He has won three of his four duels in the Ländle against GAK!

Regi Van Acker (l.) in the duel with Walter Schachner.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"It's hard to predict what we can expect this time," says GAK sporting director Didi Elsneg, "a new coach certainly has new tactical ideas." Murat Satin, who was brought to Graz from Bregenz in the winter, is the biggest insider out injured - and Marco Perchtold (suspended) and Markus Rusek (injured) are two more veterans out. Lukas Graf, however - who has been with the GAK since the 2016 Oberliga season - is extra motivated to throw himself into battle: his contract has been extended - his dream of the Bundesliga is alive!