18.03.2023
‘Zoki’ before the derby in the oe24 interview
In the oe24 interview, Zoran Barisic (52) discovered something like a derby gene.
At the beginning of the conversation, Barisic neither knew that the 338th Vienna Derby would take place on Sunday (“quite a lot”), nor how successful he was as a Rapid coach against arch-rivals in the past. We helped his statistical knowledge on his feet.
oe24: Mr. Barisic, do you know that when it comes to the derby, you are the most successful Rapid coach of the millennium?
Zoran Barisic: No, but I’m sure you’ll do the math for me right away and my players will read it…
oe24: So: Zoran Barisic is the only Rapid coach in this millennium to win three Viennese derbies in a row (2013/14). You are also the last Rapid coach to win two derbies in a row.
Barisic: Look, I didn’t know that. Very nice.
oe24: Do you take that into the dressing room to motivate your players?
Barisic: No, I don’t have to motivate a player extra for the derby. The opposite is the case: I tend to see that they loosen up. It’s no good if they go into the game too tense or over-motivated.
oe24: Although in the ORF interview you passed the pressure on to Austria…
Barisic: That’s obvious. We’ve already achieved our goal of making it into the championship play-off, Austria have to do that first.
oe24: In fact, Rapid could now significantly influence the fate of Austria. Which would you prefer: arch-rivals in the qualifying group or two more derbies?
Barisic: There’s no question: the majority of fans want to see derbies, that’s the salt of the league.
oe24: Can you describe the feeling you get when you come to the Generali Arena?
Barisic: With a good, very special. I think my players feel the same way. It’s in a stadium like this that you love to play. With the great atmosphere, you can push your limits even more.
oe24: Do you have any special memories of derbies from the past?
Barisic: Naturally! Prohaska against Krankl, for example, or the crazy cup final in 1985 (3:3 aet, Rapid won the penalty shootout 6:5, the editor). As a boy, I was often Ballschani.
oe24: Now you’re Rapid’s head coach. What is your interim balance?
Barisic: We have repositioned ourselves and are at the beginning of our development. I think everyone can see that we’re playing good football at the moment. We have achieved the first goal of the championship play-off. The next is Top 4 or an international competition.
oe24: Finally, I would like to know how you feel about the current discussion about the Rapid Stadium as an international match venue…
Barisic: The issue should have been dealt with internally before it went public. Ultimately, the members will vote.