As the curtain falls on this season, we're setting our sights on a strong finish and a new beginning. While the title race may have slipped through our fingers, there's still plenty to play for at the Red Bull Arena this Sunday.

This campaign hasn't unfolded exactly as we'd hoped, but that only makes our final match more meaningful. On Sunday at 14:30 CEST, we're not just playing for pride—we're battling for third place against TSV Hartberg. Securing that spot is crucial for our European ambitions. A third-place finish would give us a much smoother path to qualification, potentially skipping two rounds and entering the competition in a stronger position. In contrast, fourth place would mean navigating three grueling qualifying rounds.

Let's talk about our opponents. Hartberg's coach Manfred Schmid is also saying his goodbyes, stepping down after leading his team to a respectable sixth place. The history between us tells an encouraging story: we've won all five championship group meetings against the Styrian side, with four of those victories coming by three or more goals. Our attack has been most lethal in the final 15 minutes of matches, while Hartberg's defense tends to weaken in that same period. They've also struggled to keep the ball, averaging just 39% possession this season—the lowest in the league. Our record at home is even more daunting: Hartberg has only managed to take points from us once at the Red Bull Arena, while we've won the other nine meetings with a combined score of 34-7.

This match also marks an emotional farewell to three talented players. Kerim Alajbegovic, Joane Gadou, and Jannik Schuster will be playing their final game in Salzburg before heading to new challenges in Germany and England. It's a fitting moment to celebrate their contributions and send them off with a win.

Don't miss this season-ending showdown—get your tickets online now and be part of the action as we close the chapter with purpose.