Rapid goalkeeper Hedl on crisis and return: “Put your cell phone away”

Im Cup quarterfinals in the Innviertel on Saturday (5.30 p.m., ORF 1 live). Rapid-Tormann at the premiere of Trainer Johannes Hoff Thorup as official Number one be sent to the field.

This is also because the Dane is already… Norwich-Coach had his eye on Hedl: “Niki was on our list.”

“It didn’t work out with Norwich”

After the end of Hoff Thorup in England Hedl negotiated with the second division club in spring 2025.

“I listened to it, but in the end it didn’t work out with Norwich,” reveals the Viennese in an interview with KURIER.

If the long-term rapid driver had known about his later crisis in the fall, the summer would probably be over 18 years But it was all over in Hütteldorf.

„On the other hand, there’s nothing better than Rapid when it’s running. This season can still be difficult,” says the 25-year-old, who is his Joy regained hat.

“Didn’t like kick and rush”

This is more important than would be expected from a goalie Playing style of the people in front: “The derby was the beginning of the end. We didn’t like the kick and rush so much. This team wants the ball, and that’s how we define ourselves more strongly again. That is fun.”

That was an additional burden Tense relationship between Jürgen Macho and head coach Peter Stögerwho would have replaced the goalie coach in the winter: “Actually, I should have cared, but I didn’t. Everyone noticed.“

“They should be really good with their feet”

Now the challenges have increased because Hoff Thorup wants goalies to play: “They should be really good with their feetready for multiple solutions with the ball – that’s what they are at Rapid.”

Hedl reports that the goalkeepers are now in training more involved in the forms of play “That helps. I have to keep calm during the game and have confidence that my teammates will offer themselves in time. I really don’t want to risk the last shirt and start dribbling.”

Coach demands bravery from goalies

Hoff Thorup emphasizes another quality that is important to him in goalkeepers: “Brave when the pressure comes in the game and from the fans.”

Niklas already knew the pressure at Rapid Papa Raimund (115 games from 1994 to 2011) and took full advantage of it from October onwards.

The European Championship participant from 2024 describes how he slipped into crisis after a strong start to the season: “There have been more ups and downs than in the previous season. When a mistake happens, you stop in your head and think. But as a goalkeeper, if you think too much, you’ve already lost.”

It also helped in this phase Paul Gartlerthe toughest competitor: “Pauli is a real friend and such a hot guywho is like a dad to most. He does so much for the team, including interpreting. That’s why I supported him every day during his time as number 1.”

Statistics better than fan opinion

By the way are Hedl and Gartler – alongside Salzburg’s Schlager – the only goalies in the Bundesliga in the fall held more than was statistically likely.

“That’s just rapid”

Completely different than how many fans see it: “It’s just rapid. If it doesn’t work, we look even more closely. Then every little mistake is taken into account and that’s how it works out. That’s the only thing that helps Put your cell phone away and to work even harder. But we already know that we could have done better.”

Hedl looks ahead: “One at a young age going through a difficult phasehelps a lot for later. That also did something to me as a person. I’ve learned not to take everything too much to heart.“