In the following defensive battle, Molde despaired of goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann and the lack of penetration. The second leg will take place next Thursday (7 p.m., live on ORF1) in Klagenfurt. If the WAC masters this hurdle, it will be in a European Cup group phase for the third time after 2019 and 2020. An extra income of over three million euros excluding match day income would be fixed.
WAC goalie Bonmann was warmed up early on, but Raphael Schifferrl thwarted the greatest chance at first. The defender just blocked a shot from Ola Brynhildsen in the center (7′). Molde dictated what happened, after 20 minutes it was 6:0 in corner kicks, but the most important statistics were correct from the 22nd minute from the Carinthian point of view.
Baribo turns the game on its head
After a precise shot by Bonmann at Thorsten Röcher, he found Baribo’s head with his cross from the right. The Dutt team was able to celebrate the successful needlestick over three stations. Nothing changed in the direction of play on the Norwegian artificial turf: Molde’s offensive department around play designer Magnus Wolff Eikrem and the lightning-fast striker David Fofana presented the WAC defensive with permanent problems.
In the 26th minute, Fofana hurried, but the 19-year-old Ivorian lobbed Bonmann just wide of the goal (26′). Dominik Baumgartner corrected a dangerous excursion by the keeper with his save with his head (31st). When Sivert Mannsverk headed the ball, the German goalkeeper was well positioned again (36′).
Molde chances non-stop
After the change of sides, the pole and Bonmann prevented the equalizer. Fofana extended his leg after Eikrem’s cross, but after Bonmann’s “pickle” the artificial leather landed on the left post (48th). Kristoffer Haugan missed the next top-class player with a shot into the side netting (52′). Wolff Eikrem forced Bonmann to make another flight (55th), but had to leave the field shortly afterwards.
Pole shot for Molde
Molde’s most dangerous striker, David Bofana, hit the bar in the 48th minute.
Molde’s clock had recently been struggling with calf problems and the four-time champion was then missing from all corners and ends. In front of only 4,761 spectators, the slightly favored home team could hardly think of anything else, and the WAC gratefully accepted the relapse for their away win.
Comments on the game:
Robin Dutt (WAC coach): “We got on well and started high. Molde then increased the pressure. It took a lot of work to keep them away from the penalty area. Our goal fell in the first pressure phase. In the second half we weren’t able to play forward as often, but the lads defended it superbly.”
Erling Moe (Molde coach): “We assume that’s how football is. The beginning was good, then the goal came, we weren’t well prepared. We quickly recovered and regained control. In the final phase there were 15 interruptions due to injuries, so the game was fragmented.”
Conference-League, Play-off, Hinspiel
Thursday:
Molde – WAC 0:1 (0:1)
Aker Stadium, 4,761 spectators, SR Papapetrou (GRE)
Tor: 0:1 (22.) Baribo
Mould: Karlström – Linnes, Hansen, E. Haugan, Risa, K. Haugan – Breivik (81./Hussain), Mannsverk, Wolff Eikrem (57./Eriksen) – Fofana, Brynhildsen (73./Zekhnini)
WAC: Bonmann – Novak, Baumgartner, Piesinger, Schiffrl, Jasic – Leitgeb, Vizinger (61st/Taferner), Kerschbaumer – Röcher (73rd/Vergos), Baribo (96th/Veratschnig)
Yellow cards: Eriksen, E. Haugan and Röcher
The best: Wolff Eikrem, Fofana or Bonmann, Röcher, Baribo
Second leg on August 25 (7 p.m., live on ORF1) in Klagenfurt. The promoted team is in the group stage of the Conference League.
