West derby tests Salzburg as fan rivalry raises tensions

Austria Salzburg and Wacker Innsbruck will meet in the Second Football League on Friday for the first time in 10 years, in a match that will test both the teams and their supporters, ORF reports. Around 1,100 Salzburg fans are expected in Innsbruck for the derby.

Tyrol police have prepared a large operation to get the visiting supporters to the Tivoli stadium and home again without incident. “We have prepared very well tactically and are gathering information,” said Stefan Eder, a spokesperson for the Tyrol State Police Directorate. He said the operation would be adjusted until the last moment but declined to provide details.

The core group of Salzburg supporters will travel in 10 buses and march to the stadium. The clubs have urged fans to avoid trouble, with memories of clashes in Vöcklabruck in September 2014 still fresh. The previous derby, on May 13, 2016, ended 2-2 and was largely peaceful.

Austria Salzburg chairman David Rettenbacher called the match “a bit of a test” for the club and said he trusted it would pass without incident. He also described the atmosphere ahead of the game as heated and urged everyone, including the media, to lower the temperature.

Wacker, promoted to the second tier, has settled in well and sits fourth in the table, two places above Salzburg. Austria Salzburg goes into the match with confidence after scoring a late winner against FAC in its last game. ORF Sport+ and its livestream will broadcast the match from 8.30 p.m.