Before the duel with Rapid: Mamadou Sangari and his teammates: Three and a half Hartberg players in the national team

While the international breaks in the first few years under coach Markus Schaub at Hartberg were a time when the team, with all players without exception, could intensively prepare for the upcoming assignments, more and more players are now missing from the national team sessions. The Styrian side have had to do without Ibani Boate (Scotland U21), Mamadou Sangari (Mali U23) and Austrian FA top scorer Maximilian Entrop over the past two weeks. “It is a fact that the players at Hartberg are developing in an interesting way,” says Schaub to his followers and also mentions the next opponent.

Christoph Lange, now one of Rapid's top performers, was also with the Red, White and Red A team before joining the U21s. “I don't want to forget him. He's no longer with us, but we played a big role in that.” The 22-year-old came on loan from SK Sturm in the summer before Graz brought him back in the winter and immediately moved him to Hotelldorf. “At Rapid, he was definitely a key factor and the reason why they scored points in the spring. I only remember goals against Sturm or Klagenfurt. He was important for us in the fall, and now he is important for Rapid.”

Standing room tickets are still available

Speaking of fast. Viennese can count on many fans again in Hartberg. Standing room tickets for the spectacle at Easter are still available. For Styria, games like this are the reward for an exciting first half. “With this improvement, they deserve to play in the championship group and compete with the best of the best,” says Schaub. His team at Provertel Stadium has not lost at home for eight matches and has won both matches against Rapid this season 1-0. Why do things work out so well for blue and white versus green and white? “It's simply two strong teams meeting, with very good ideas in possession. But in the whole package we had more ideas here and there. “He was a bit unlucky in the last duel. “Schopp can count on almost all players in the cracker game. Only centre-back Boate is missing and suspended.