Stripfing challenges GAK

“Application” against the champions

Stripfing is undefeated under Florian Hart - will that get him a coaching contract?(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Oliver Lerch)

Bundesliga promoted GAK have extended their contract with Gernot Messner for 2024/25, while Friday's opponents Stripfing have yet to decide on a coach for next season. However: Since Florian Hart took over the second division club on an interim basis four games ago, the stragglers are undefeated - a point win against the champions would be the fifth part of the "application".

"I'm not interested in that at the moment," says the 34-year-old interim coach, "I first want to keep the team in the league and do my best." Hart doesn't believe that the league leaders are still reeling from the championship party ahead of today's home game against GAK: "They still want to win. I see it as a normal game, we have to do our thing."

In the last four games that has worked out with eight points, most recently there was the 2:0 in Bregenz - what is Hart doing differently? "There are a few things I demand. For example, if you want to be good in possession, you have to be incredibly strong in counter-pressing." Nevertheless, the former Bundesliga footballer knows: "As a player, I was often in relegation battles - despite all the tension, you can't get tense. Our win against St. Pölten brought a sense of relaxation."