The 2024/25 season is still young, but the goalkeeper Samuel Shaheen Radlinger In his first season Austria Vienna It has already been a turbulent few weeks. First the bitter end to the Europa League qualifiers, then the opening defeat of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga. FC Blau Weiss Linz And on Sunday he achieved the long-awaited first national victory (Mirko Kos played in the Austrian Federation Cup). League Gate Talk to 31-year-old Ryder “Give me five” interview. (5 questions = 5 answers) About analysis From the 3-1 win over WAChis new defense minister Alexander Dragovich What? RB Salzburg in FC Twente expected.
Samuel Sahin-Radlinger saved Vienna from 2-0 down with a superb strike past Tierno Palo in the 67th minute. Gruber immediately levelled the score at 1-1 and from then on, the FAK goalkeeper was able to enjoy the Violets' turnaround, including a brace in extra time, with almost no work to do.
“We were patient and waited for our moments.”
League Gate: Hi Samuel, congratulations on your first Bundesliga win and first points with Wiener Austria. How satisfying is it and what is the game analysis like? What is the key to success on the WAC?
Samuel Shaheen Radlinger: The relief was generally noticeable after the game and the day after. A lot has fallen off our shoulders because the last few weeks have not been very easy in terms of results. We really wanted to leave the three points at home against Wydad, to win for ourselves and, above all, for the fans because they really supported us in a great way despite the initial difficulties. It's a really nice feeling.
Today we looked at the data and the facts about the game. I think we really controlled the 90 minutes and brought our style of play to the pitch most of the time. Then came this little setback after 25 minutes. Until then the game was in our hands.
Despite the 0-1 defeat, we did not deviate from our plan and we knew that we had to be patient. All the alternatives worked: Fitzi (Note: Dominic Fitz) With the goal and the pass of Muki (Muharram Huskovic) With a goal. Then the constitution (Constantine Alexa, 17 years old) with his 80-meter sprint at 36 km/h in preparation for Fitzi.
We said it again in the circle after the game that what makes us a really good unit is what makes us stand out. Because it's certainly not easy for Fitzy and Mookie to sit on the bench and then come in an hour later and want to tear the game apart. They all did that and that's ultimately what makes a good team.
We were patient, waiting for our moment. Of course, the red card was also in our favour in the end. But I think we could have had one or two chances because we were so dominant.
“I have to stay on the ball and focus on that.”
League Gate: The little goal that was scored was the goal that was scored. The experts cleared you of it. It was also uncomfortable and ungrateful to you. Sharp free kick at the first post, giant Simon Bissinger jumps in front of you. Where did you spot the source of the mistake and how did you deal with it from your point of view? Did you see the ball before it went in?
Samuel Shaheen Radlinger: I put the wall so I could see the ball behind the wall to the left. At that moment, of course, he shoots very sharply and the reaction time is very short. Then Bessinger was in front of me. Those were the little factors that led to the goal being conceded. It was definitely a goal that generated a lot of discussion.
We looked at this 15 times in the analysis, with Udo Siebenhandl. (Note: Goalkeeper coach). I will not exempt myself from criticism when the ball comes in this way, after – admittedly – a very well-executed free-kick and a good run by Simone, we have to prevent Pacey better.
He gets in there so easily and then he's right in front of me. If he heads it hard into the near post, there's nothing you can do. In that case, he doesn't catch the ball, he just clears it a little bit. That's what I have to blame myself for in the end. I have to stay in the way of the ball and concentrate on that.
If he then went to the near post, I wouldn't have had a chance anyway. I still tried to make myself tall, to stretch my arms and legs so that I could touch the ball somehow. Unfortunately I couldn't do that at the moment. We still talk about that today, but I've already checked it with video analysis and I'm already looking forward to the next game positively.
“The whole of Austrian football has seen how good Drago is.”
League Gate: With the returning Austrian Alexander Dragovic, you have a new Minister of Defense. How important is he for you as a veteran goalkeeper in the Bundesliga?
Samuel Shaheen Radlinger: Drago has been a real leader for us since day one, both in the dressing room and on the pitch, even if he is not 100 percent yet. After yesterday's game he was very tired anyway (He laughs)Of course it was also incredibly hot.
I already noticed it in training, and yesterday the whole of Austrian football saw how good Drago is – with his calmness on the ball and his experience. I think he felt like he was hitting every ball and playing really good passes.
He can be a very important key player for us, especially in building the game. In general, everyone around him feels safe with him. If we take away the football aspect, he is a good, really good guy and fits well into our team.
“…then this new rule won't cause me any major problems.”
League Gate: Let's get to the new rule that only the captain is allowed to seek dialogue with the referee in controversial situations. This is a restriction, especially for lone fighters like goalkeepers with strong opinions, if they do not have the captain's armband. How difficult will it be to back down in the future and what do you think of the captain's rule?
Samuel Shaheen Radlinger: I had to think about it several times yesterday during the game, because if a decision was made I would normally run 20 or 25 metres towards the referee and join the discussion. Then I backed away.
But I think, especially as a goalkeeper, if I talk objectively to the referee every now and then, no one will say anything. It is always important to show due respect and communicate reasonably. So this new rule will not cause me any major problems.
“This is really a cauldron in its own right.”
League Gate: You have been under contract with Austria Vienna since September and were loaned to Almere City in the Netherlands last season. In the Eredivisie, you were also at De Grolsch Veste, home of FC Twente Enschede, where FC Salzburg will play tomorrow evening in the second leg of their Champions League play-off. How did you cope with the 'Fortress Twente'? What can the Red Bulls expect there in terms of atmosphere?
Samuel Shaheen Radlinger: Unfortunately I didn't play in Enschede myself, but I experienced the atmosphere in the stadium there from the bench. That's really a cauldron. The atmosphere was great, and the Twente fans were really good. I'm excited.
For Salzburg, conceding a late goal in the first leg was very bitter, because things would have been different if they were 2-0 down. But if you watch the performances in the Bundesliga, like the one recently against Blau-Weiss Linz, and they can enjoy the fun of the game and take their clear lead with them to Enschede, I am absolutely convinced that they will survive the round.
League Gate: Thanks Samuel. I wish you all the best.
The interview was conducted by Ligaportal Editor-in-Chief Herbert Baumann.
You never gave up, you turned the game around and got a home win 🤩💜
👇Our goals👇#faklive
📸 @Mr. Shaked pic.twitter.com/CVZJyQpgaF– FK Austria Vienna (@FKAustriaWien) August 12, 2024
Image source: GEPA-ADMIRAL and Joseph Barak
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