Hearts’ Coach Reflects on Upcoming Rapid Vienna Clash in Conference League Play-offs
As his team gears up for the second leg of the Conference League play-off against Rapid Vienna on Wednesday night, Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken addressed the media to share insights about the match.
Vrancken faces a challenging decision regarding the striker position, especially after James Wilson’s impressive goal during the first leg last week. He is also optimistic about summer signing Laurent Mendy, stating that medical staff have confirmed he is ready to play if needed.
The atmosphere at the ground is expected to be “special,” with Vrancken describing the match as a “massive game” for both teams, signaling that there will be considerable pressure. In preparation, the team has been practicing penalties over the past few weeks in case the match goes the distance.
On another note, new signing JJ Williams is expected to be fit for this weekend’s game, having already participated in 18 matches this season for Rhode Island.
Vrancken recognizes that Rapid Vienna presents a formidable challenge, noting their intensity and strong build-up play. However, he also mentioned that his players feel capable of being the dominant side.
Acknowledging that Hearts may appear as underdogs on paper, Vrancken emphasized that such assessments could be misleading. He stated, “When you show conviction and really believe in what you’re doing, leave it all out there, then anything can happen.”
The coach conveys strong belief in the team’s chance to reach the league phase, but he also understands that this will demand significant effort and quality from his players.
Transitioning through this challenge could yield “a massive result for confidence for the players but also for the whole club,” he noted. Vrancken reiterated the importance of showcasing their skills and teamwork to secure the desired result, affirming, “the conviction is there we just have to show it on the pitch.”
Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Wednesday night’s Conference League play-off round second leg against Rapid Vienna.
Here are the main points:
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Vrancken says he has a difficult decision to make regarding the striker position after James Wilson’s stunning goal in the first leg last week.
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The Hearts coach says it will be “no risk” in playing summer signing Laurent Mendy as the medical staff says he is now ready if required.
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He expects a “special atmosphere” inside the ground and described this as a “massive game” for both teams so there will be pressure.
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Vrancken says the team have been practising penalties “for the last few weeks” should the game go all the way.
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He expects new signing JJ Williams to be ready to play from this weekend as he already has 18 games under his belt this season for Rhode Island
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Vrancken knows Rapid Vienna are “a good side with a lot of intensity and good build-up” but admits “the players feel we can also be the dominant team”.
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The Hearts boss says “we may be the underdog on paper but that doesn’t say anything” adding “when you show conviction and really believe in what you’re doing, leave it all out there, then anything can happen.”
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He says Hearts are “of the strong belief that we have a chance to reach the league phase” but knows “it will require a lot of effort and quality”.
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And the 47-year-old stresses progressing to the league phase would “be a massive result for confidence for the players but also for the whole club”.
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Vrancken insists “we have to be on top of our qualities and team effort to make the result” and stresses “the conviction is there we just have to show it on the pitch”.
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