Red Bull Salzburg captain Thomas Raffl starts motivated in his 23rd professional season. After four championship titles in a row, the team focuses on the fifth title.
“The four championship titles sound nice now, but they never went off completely smoothly,” says Raffl in an interview with the “Kleine Zeitung”. The team’s motto remains clear: “Defense Wins Championships”. Raffl explains: “We have a lot of quality, many players who can score goals. But priority has the defensive work.”
A special highlight is the collaboration with his brother Michael Raffl, who has newly joined the team. “This is an indescribable feeling, you dream of it,” says Thomas. “Michi has experienced things that I don’t know. Even I still learn from my brother.
And to duels against Villach, he says: “I always like to play in Carinthia, whether in Klagenfurt or Villach. The fans are fanatic, the halls are full. There will certainly be some laughs when Michi arrives against VSV.”
Despite his age of 39 years, Raffl does not think of the end of the career: “Many say a lot changes at 39. But now I have to find out myself. I have noticed anything so far because I invest a lot to avoid it.” His goal remains clear: the fifth championship title in a row and a successful season with Red Bull Salzburg.
Image: Pa pictures – Gintare Karpaviciute
