In the next round, the last before the end of the regular season, Admira is waiting away. At the distribution group in Wien-Favoriten, both teams initially tried hard on the offensive, but were unsuccessful. The defenses were solid most of the time.
After a goalless first half, Alexander Grünwald took advantage of Wolfsberg’s carelessness in the 57th minute and shot powerfully from the edge of the penalty area to make it 1-0 for Austria. In the turbulent final phase, Patrick Pentz twice saved a penalty from Michael Liendl.
Important victory for Austria
Austria celebrated an important victory against WAC on Sunday. After a 1-0 home win over the Carinthians, the Viennese have more than one foot in the Bundesliga champions group.
Austria requires start-up time
The only change made by FAK coach Manfred Schmid compared to the previous week was the removal of defender Johannes Handl, who was plagued by muscle problems. New signing Lucas Galvao played for him in central defence. Liendl returned to WAC, with Sven Sprangler playing alongside the captain in central midfield.
The first notable action was a corner kick from the visitors in the sixth minute, after which WAC striker Thai Baribo required treatment for a bleeding head wound and was bandaged. After another corner kick in the twelfth minute, WAC became dangerous again, and then Austria became conspicuous for the first time on the offensive.
Opportunities for Austria are piling up
Alexander Kofler initially saved an attempt by Aleksandar Jukic shortly before the fifteen-minute mark, shortly afterwards Noah Ohio failed to prevail in a running duel with Amar Dedic. Again just a minute later, the Dutchman chipped the ball away from goalkeeper Kofler but didn’t put any pressure behind his shot. The “Violets” had their best chance to score in the 27th minute. After an action down the left and Grünwald’s cross, Kofler, the pole and Dominik Baumgartner were in the way after Manfred Fischer’s shot.
Before the half-time break, Baribo (42nd) was completely free to head the ball and missed the best opportunity for the WAC lead. Apart from that, Austria had more of the game. On the other side, Jukic tested Kofler again in injury time without success, Matthias Braunöder continued there with a long-range shot in the 47th minute.
Grünwald withdraws
Grünwald then pulled off a half-volley with his strong left foot after the guests lost the ball and made it 1-0. It was the first goal of the season for the now ex-captain, who was later given a standing ovation. Fischer missed a possible preliminary decision ten minutes later and hesitated in the penalty area. Kofler was on the spot after he had previously been powerless when conceding a goal.
The WAC was largely without a chance in the forward movement, after a VAR intervention and a referee check on the pitch, referee Sebastian Gishamer gave a penalty in the final phase after a handball from Lukas Mühl.
Pentz remains twice the winner against Liendl
Liendl failed with a weak penalty due to Pentz in the Austria goal, and the otherwise little-tested Austria goalie was also the winner in the repeat after the VAR decision in the same Tormanneck. Austria coach Schmid saw the red card for his loud criticism.
There was also excitement when WAC man Nicolas Veratschnig knocked substitute Georg Teigl knee-first in the head. The Austrian remained motionless on the lawn for a short time, but was later replaced in a daze and supported. Lochoshvili was involved in the first aid itself.
Comments on the game:
Manfred Schmidt (Austria coach): “It was the expected tight and difficult game. As I said before the game, it was the fans that made the difference. They supported us, they carried us. It was a dramatic game with everything imaginable in it. A really strong opponent, they demanded everything from us. All the more impressive how our boys held up. We needed a bit in the first half, but then we had two great chances. It was very combative and very emotional at the end, even with my exclusion. But thank God I didn’t insult anyone, just kicked our crate of drinks.”
Robin Dutt (WAC coach): “It was a fantastic atmosphere from outside. Our team often played a bit unclean in the forward option and always played the opponent in with his switching actions. We ran after Ohio so often, it was always very, very strenuous. We then get the deficit through a relatively simple mistake, but the substitutes then set the ball rolling again. Unfortunately we didn’t score then. I think Austria didn’t deserve the three points.”
Bundesliga, 21 round
Sunday:
Austria – WAC 1:0 (0:0)
Generali Arena, 11,000 spectators, SR Gishamer
Goal: 1: 0 (57th) Grünwald
Austria: Pentz – Martins, Mühl, Galvao, Suttner – Martel, Braunöder – Jukic (94th/Ivkic), Grünwald (74th/Teigl; 90th/Vukic), Fischer – Ohio (74th/Djuricin)
WAC: Kofler – Jasic, Baumgartner, Lochoshvili, Dedic (71./Novak) – Peretz (71./Wernitznig), Sprangler, Liendl, Taferner (77./Veratschnig) – Vizinger, Baribo (71./Röcher)
Note: Liendl failed twice with a penalty at Pentz (86.)
Red card: Schmid (coach Austria/84.)
Yellow cards: Galvao, Suttner, Martel, Mühl and Baumgartner
The best: Fischer, Braunöder, Pentz or Kofler, Taferner
