In the end, it was deserved. WSG Tirol finished the league in last position, with most goals conceded and the worst goal difference. They won only one game out of ten in the lower Play-Offs, conceding sixteen goals on the way (worst) and scoring only eight (second worst). Their relegation after just one season in the highest tier was no coincidence.
But sometimes in life, people get a second chance. In their case, it was a rival team going into bankruptcy, which gave them a spot in the higher tier for the current season. Despite a lot of issues planning the new season and putting together a squad for the highest league, they so far have used their chance really well. They sit comfortably in fifth position, with a positive goal difference and massively improved numbers on both ends of the pitch.
Offensively, they improved above else in home games. It has to be mentioned that due to infrastructural reasons, they have not played at their usual home stadium since promotion. This year, they seem to cope much better with this peculiar loss of home-ground advantage. In lesser terms, they also create more from counter attacks and set pieces, plus they rely less on long balls. The situations in which they have made the most important steps forward are footed shots and shots after through balls; both very effective ways to score goals. This is a side that is not riding the wave but a well playing squad.
In defensive terms and unlike at the other end of the pitch, they have diminished their opponents' chances to score in away games. They are a bit more stable in counter situations, from set pieces and after opponents' long balls. Their rivals are also less able to create footed shots against them. Again, very promising developments of a team which might likely play in the upper Play-Offs this year.
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