Rapid and euphoria? "Not here to kill the passion"

Horn Sees "Different Rapid"

Some are familiar with the inability to maintain good form from the past. There weren't many changes to the squad compared to the mediocre previous season.

Jannes Horn, for example. However, the full-back shares the confidence that, despite a similar squad, things will be different this time: "This year, in my opinion, it's a different Rapid, a stronger Rapid, because we simply understand even better how the coach wants us to play. And because we have a great deal of trust in each other. Everyone knows what makes the other strong."

"Wenn wir nicht auf den Platz bekommen, was der Trainer will, können wir wie in Salzburg auch mal richtig unter die Räder geraten."

Jannes Horn bleibt fokussiert

The inquiry into the success factors then turns into a 'ping-pong' between coach and players: "We had an extremely good pre-season preparation, where we could understand even better what the coach wants from us. We follow his plan, and everyone knows what they have to do."

Hoff Thorup replies: "Coaching is part of it. But if the players don't follow, listen, and work hard, nothing is possible. I try to inspire them, but if they don't follow, a coach doesn't matter."

Fans Are Welcome to Be in a Good Mood

The coach's Danish coolness probably also helps the club with expectation management. While euphoria and good spirits are certainly not forbidden: the positive atmosphere was clearly noticeable to outsiders as well.

That at Rapid it's always about not letting success go to their heads is just another task the coach embraces.

But in moderation. Hoff Thorup recently emphasized that fans should certainly be allowed to dream: "We are not here to kill the passion. The fans are a big part of why we were able to change the team and its performances."

Everything Can Turn Around Very Quickly

After all, a good atmosphere can also pave the way for maintaining performance at a high level. Also not to be forgotten.

"But I have to remind the players that it's always only about the next training session and game, because we are in October. But if we shape the rest of the season like this, there can be many good days for us. The important thing is that we keep going like this."

Horn also emphasizes: "If we don't put what the coach wants onto the pitch, we can really get run over, just like in Salzburg. If we push through our game and play what is demanded, what makes us strong as a team, we are 100 percent a team that can and must compete at the very top."