Altach loses leadership: fear of winning is a big problem!

Altach loses leadership: fear of winning is a big problem!

On April 19, 2025, exciting duels took place in the 26th round of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga, including the heated clash between SCR Altach and TSV Hartberg. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, but the point win remains bitter for Altach as the team once again lost important points in the relegation battle. According to Laola1, Altach's opening goal came in the 61st minute through Dijon Kameri, but the yellow-red card for Raphael Hofer in the 72nd minute opened the door for Hartberg to get back into the game. Jürgen Heil took advantage of the chance and scored the late equalizer for the guests.

After the game, Altach's head coach Fabio Ingolitsch said that his players were “afraid of winning,” which was reflected in their lack of consistency throughout the entire season. SCR Altach midfielder Mike Bähre criticized the team's lack of damage control and negligence, while Kameri addressed his team's difficulties following the opponent's red card. At Hartberg, coach Manfred Schmid looked back on his team's inefficient use of chances and made it clear that the first 45 minutes offered better opportunities for his team.

Gameplay and key events

The game was characterized by decisive moments: Altach took the lead in the second half, but the red card for Santos Costa before half-time made the situation considerably worse for the home team. Hartberg pushed hard for the lead in the second half, although the attempts on the opponent's goal remained unused. A double chance from Dominik Prokop also didn't find its way into the net.

The yellow card for Jürgen Heil, which Schmid sharply criticized, was particularly spicy. Heil will miss this card in the next game against GAK. Hartberg will find it difficult to prepare for the decisive games without him, while Altach remains stuck in the bottom of the table. The lack of wins since December remains a pressing issue for the team, who desperately need points to avoid relegation.

Psychological aspects in football

Another relevant aspect in professional football that also comes into play when analyzing this encounter is the role of sports psychology. According to a report on Die Sportpsychologen, the implementation of professional sport psychology concepts is often at an early stage. Many teams, including Bundesliga clubs, do not employ sports psychologists full-time, although work in this area can make a decisive contribution to improving performance.

The pressure players face could be a factor contributing to the “fear of winning” that Ingolitsch described. A team that better deals with these psychological challenges could potentially demonstrate the inner strength needed for success in critical moments.

With the upcoming derby game against GAK on Tuesday, April 25th, Altach is under pressure and the players have to grow beyond their mental strength to finally get another win. The sports psychology concepts, which are not yet fully integrated in many leagues, could offer invaluable support in such situations.