With seven rounds to go, Altach is two points behind the penultimate team, which is now called TSV Egger Glas Hartberg. An own goal by Mickael Nanizayamo (45+1) in added time in the first half put Admira on course in front of just over 3,000 spectators.
As the snow continued to fall, Stefano Surdanovic (48′) followed up after a mistake by Altach’s goalkeeper Tino Casali. Christoph Monschein reduced the penalty with a penalty kick (53′) before Strauss celebrated in the seven-minute stoppage time. The game had to be briefly interrupted after an hour after some Altach fans rioted.
Late compensation for Altach against Admira
Admira gave up a two-goal lead at bottom-placed Altach and had to settle for a draw after a goal by Altach in the 96th minute.
Happy 1-0 for Admira
The Vorarlbergers thought they were mentally strengthened after the last success in Ried. The game was intense, but without big scenes in front of the respective goals. There was no denying that both teams wanted to play forward. At the Altacher Monschein started in attack, at the Admira Austria’s U18 team striker Filip Ristanic ran in instead of the sick Marlon Mustapha.
The bottom team from Altach demanded a penalty when Noah Bischof was held back in the penalty area by Matthias Ostrzolek (18′). The referees saw no offense with consequences. Monschein headed to the post after a free kick, but the striker was offside anyway (34′).
As the game was heading towards a goalless draw at the break, Admira’s opening goal fell into the category of slapstick: Nanizayamo tried to clear a Ristanic cross, but created an air hole. Via the hollow of the Frenchman’s knee, the ball came in the direction of Casali, who was surprised and missed.
Turbulent second half
Things got even worse for Casali shortly after the restart. The keeper processed Zwischenbrugger’s return pass poorly, Surdanovic was there and shot into the empty goal. It went on cheerfully: Admira defender Sebastian Bauer hit Stefan Haudum in the Admira penalty area on the supporting leg. Originally given as a foul by the Altacher, referee Stefan Ebner revised his decision after VAR intervention and awarded a penalty.
The former Admiraner Monschein finished confidently against ex-teammate Andreas Leitner. It was Altach’s first goal in front of a home crowd since mid-October last year. As in Pasching, there were ugly scenes in the Cashpoint Arena afterwards. Leitner was apparently thrown at with cups from the Altach fan sector.
Ebner sent the teams into the dressing room, after a stadium announcement the players came back on the field after a break of just a few minutes. It was emotionally charged until the final whistle, with Admira, who acted more calmly, initially had the best chance through Surdanovic (85th). From one of the last desperate attacks, Strauss scored with a deflected shot to equalize.
Comments on the game:
Ludovic Magnin (Altach coach): “Playing a game like that at the bottom makes me really proud of the team and the point they fought for. Despite the 0:2 we didn’t collapse, but in contrast to the Ried game we didn’t play really good football today. We didn’t manage to keep the ball flat. In the scene with Bishop (possible penalty, note) there was a power failure, so no VAR. That there is no connection at this level is just ridiculous. Today you saw a team fighting with heart and soul to stay up in the league.”
Andreas Herzog (Admira coach): “Before the game I would have been happy with a point. Of course not after the way the game went and being 2-0 up because we missed a big chance. We didn’t use our chances on the counterattack. A seven-point lead over Altach would have been really good for us. But with a view to the fight to stay up in the league, we still have everything in our own hands and we would be well advised not to look at the others.”
Admiral Bundesliga, 25th round
Saturday:
Altach – Admira 2: 2 (0: 1)
Altach, Cashpoint Arena, 3,047 spectators, SR Ebner
goal sequence:
0: 1 (45+1) Nanizayamo (own goal)
0:2 (48.) Surdanovic
1: 2 (53.) Monschein (penalty)
2:2 (96.) Strauss
Altach: Casali – Strauss, Zwischenbrugger, Nanizayamo (87th / Netzer) – Mischitz (69th / rider), Haudum, Gaudino (69th / Nuhiu), Nimaga, Schreiner (87th / Prokop) – Monschein, bishop
Admire: Leitner – Zwierschitz, Bauer, Ostrzolek, Lukacevic – Ebner, Malicsek – Surdanovic (93./Schmiedl), Kerschbaum, Vodhanel (71./Vorsager) – Ristanic (72./Ganda)
Yellow cards: Nuhiu, Nimaga, Strauss or Vodhanel, Bauer, Malicsek, Leitner, Vorsager
The best: Schreiner, Monschein or Kerschbaum, Surdanovic
