Austria converted their superiority into goals from Dominik Fitz (12th/penalty) and Alexander Schmidt (54th) and, after four winless games with three defeats, once again made their mark. The Linzers were feeling a bit out of breath at times, but thanks to a goal from Simon Pirkl (78th), an exciting final phase was still ensured.
Despite the defeat, the Upper Austrians can look back on a satisfactory debut season in the upper house thanks to third place. For Austria or WAC, the last international starting place will be in the play-off final against Hartberg or Austria Klagenfurt on May 24th and 28th.
Austria successful at BW Linz
On the debut of interim coach Christian Wegleitner, Vienna Austria won 2-1 against Blau-Weiß in Linz.
Austria dominated from the start
The Viennese dictated the action from the start with, among other things, Schmidt, who was new to the starting line-up. Reinhold Ranftl hit the bar (2nd), Fitz was denied by Nicolas Schmid, who reacted brilliantly (3rd). On the other hand, a shot from Pirkl was blocked (5th), otherwise there was almost nothing to be seen offensively in the first 45 minutes without the ailing one-striker Ronivaldo.
Frans Krätzig also found his master in Schmid for the Viennese (8th). Four minutes later, Fitz confidently converted a penalty after Johannes Handl was hit on the foot by Lukas Tursch in the penalty area.
After that, the guests lacked efficiency several times. Fitz (19th) and Fisnik Asllani (20th) were unable to overcome Schmid, a Schmidt header went wide (27th). As a result, Ranftl even missed a double great chance, first failing at the BW goalie and then not hitting the almost empty goal (39th). In stoppage time, Austria goalkeeper Christian Früchtl had to be on the post for the first time when Maranda shot from a long distance.
Linz connection gate creates excitement
After the restart, the supposed preliminary decision in the first game after Michael Wimmer’s departure as coach was quickly made. Fitz moved towards Schmid and unselfishly played across to Schmidt, who had no trouble getting the ball into the empty goal from close range. Almost in return, Conor Noß missed the goal (56th). The Viennese continued to set the tone. Schmid fished a Gruber free kick with a brilliant save from the Kreuzeck (69th).
Almost out of nowhere, the home team came back again. After Dobras’s hole pass, Pirkl was initially denied by Früchtl, but pushed the follow-up shot into the empty box. In almost the last action, Mehmet Ibrahimi was only centimeters away from a shot, meaning the hosts almost took home a flattering point.
Voices about the game:
Gerald Scheiblehner (BW Linz coach): “In the first 30 minutes we had problems, we didn’t secure enough balls up front and we weren’t sharp enough against the ball. Things got better from the 30th minute onwards and we also had chances to score a goal. It was a really good performance in the second half, with a bit of luck we can equalize. The main thing is that we played a very good season and achieved our big goal of staying in the league. There was a great atmosphere in the stadium again today, we feel like winners, not losers.”
Christian Wegleitner (Austria interim coach): “The story was that we had something planned. It’s a bit cooler when the coach doesn’t take himself so seriously. The greatest praise goes to the players, they acted with incredible passion. The first half was such that we can start laughing again. We had one or two conversations, not just me, but the entire coaching team. Apparently we caught the players with this. Today they completed the task in a really positive way.”
Admiral Bundesliga, 32nd round, qualifying group
Saturday:
BW Linz – Austria Vienna 1:2 (0:1)
Linz, Hofmann Personal Stadium, SR Ciochirca
Torfolge:
0:1 Fitz (12th/penalty)
0:2 Schmid (54.)
1:2 Pirkl (78.)
BW Linz: Schmid – Mitrovic (73rd/Holiday), Maranda, Tursch (46th/Koch), Pirkl – Dobras, Pasic (67th/Krainz), Briedl (67th/Gölles) – S. Seidl, Mensah (46th/Ibrahimi ), Noss
Austria: Früchtl – Handl, Plavotic, Meisl – Ranftl (80./Pazourek), Fischer, Potzmann (58./Holland), Krätzig (58./Guenouche) – Asllani (58./Gruber), Fitz, Schmidt (67./Huskovic )
Yellow cards: Pirkl, Dobras or Potzmann, Guenouche, Fitz
