Austria has more than one foot in the champions group in the Bundesliga. After a 1-0 (0-0) win over Wolfsberger AC on Sunday, the fifth-placed Viennese came within four points of the Carinthians. Compared to the competition in the fight for the top six, Austria has good cards thanks to the rest of the game plan. 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 took aim 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. The only change made by FAK trainer 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 acting alongside the captain in central midfield. The first notable action was a corner kick from the guests in the 6th minute, after which WAC striker Thai Baribo had to be treated for a bleeding head wound and received a bandage. WAC then became dangerous again after another corner kick in the 12th minute, then Austria became conspicuous for the first time on the offensive. Alexander Kofler initially saved an attempt by Aleksandar Jukic shortly before the fifteen-minute mark, shortly afterwards Noah Ohio sat down in the 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 on the left and Grünwald’s cross, Manfred Fischer’s shot by Kofler, the bar and Dominik Baumgartner were in the way. Before the half-time break, Baribo (42′) was completely free to head the ball and missed the best opportunity to take the WAC lead. Apart from that, Austria had more of the game. On the other side, Jukic tested Kofler again unsuccessfully in added time, Matthias Braunöder continued there with a long-range shot in the 47th minute. Grünwald then pulled away 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. Liendl failed with a weak penalty against Pentz in the Austria goal, and the otherwise little-tested Austria goalie was also the winner in the repeat. Austria coach Schmid saw the red card for his loud criticism. There was also excitement when WAC man Luka Lochoshvili 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 himself.Here are the best pictures of the game:FK Austria Vienna – Wolfsberger AC 1:0 (0:0)Vienna, Generali Arena11,000 spectatorsSR Gishamer.Tor: 1:0 (57th) GrünwaldAustria: Pentz – Martins, Mühl, Galvao, Suttner – Martel, Braunöder – Jukic (94. Ivkic), Grünwald (74. Teigl/90. Vukic), Fischer – Ohio (74. Djuricin)WAC: Kofler – Jasic, Baumgartner, Lochoshvili, Dedic (71.Novak) – Peretz (71.Wernitznig), Sprangler, Liendl, Taferner (77.Veratschnig) – Vizinger, Baribo (71.Röcher)Note: Liendl failed with a penalty at Pentz (86.)Red card: Schmid ( Trainer Austria/84.) Yellow cards: Galvao, Suttner, Martel, Mühl and Baumgartner
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