0–0 against Braga – Out of the Conference League

Despite putting in a creditable performance and creating a number of chances, particularly in the first half, Austria had to settle for a 0–0 draw against Sporting Braga and are therefore out of the UEFA Conference League play-offs.

For the return leg against SC Braga, head coach Stephan Helm was without the two centre-backs, Ibrahim Buhari and Jonas Feddersen. Johannes Handl and Kang Hee Lee therefore started in the back three alongside defensive linchpin Aleksandar Dragović. In midfield, Florian Wustinger started in place of Philipp Maybach. Manfred Fischer played one position deeper in the number eight role compared to the first leg, whilst the attack was led by Kelvin Boateng, Johannes Eggestein and Julian Hettwer.

The visitors from Portugal, managed by Carlos Vicens, made just one change to their starting line-up, with Diego Rodrigues starting in place of Denis Huseinbašić.

Veilchen put the pressure on in the first half

Austria started the match with a determined attacking approach. Manfred Fischer sent Julian Hettwer through on goal; the German beat Vitor Carvalho but shot over the bar (9’). Hettwer played the ball to Eggestein, whose shot was parried away by goalkeeper Bernardo Fontes. Hettwer got to the ball before Fontes, but it ultimately went out of play (20’). Shortly afterwards, a shot from Boateng, set up by Eggestein, went over the bar (22’).  

After half an hour, the Portuguese began to enjoy more possession, though without posing any real threat. It was not until Gabriel Silva’s shot in the 40th minute that Samuel Şahin-Radlinger was called into action. Johannes Handl came out on top in a one-on-one with Pau Víctor (41’). Manfred Fischer fired in a shot from 25 metres but missed the target (43’). After a good first half, the teams went into the break goalless.

Braga too strong after the break

At half-time, Sanel Šaljić came on for Julian Hettwer. Eggestein narrowly missed a cross from Reinhold Ranftl (52'). A shot from Ranftl was blocked for a corner (54'). The tireless long-distance runner later made way for Daniel Nnodim, whilst Vasilije Marković replaced Kelvin Boateng.

Şahin-Radlinger made a save on the counter-attack against Diogo Travassos (70’); with 20 minutes to go, Moritz Wels came on for Jojo Eggestein. Austria struggled in attack, and time was slowly running out.

Hasan Deshishku came on for Aleksandar Dragović – Stephan Helm’s final substitution. In stoppage time, even Şahin-Radlinger found himself in the opposition’s penalty area, but all their efforts proved in vain. Austria had to bow out of this year’s European Cup campaign with a 0–0 draw.

Austria Wien – SC Braga 0–0

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Handl, Dragović (80’ Deshishku), Kang Hee Lee; Ranftl (65’ Nnodim), Fischer, Wustinger, Taeseok Lee; Boateng (65’ Marković), Hettwer (46’ Šaljić), Eggestein (72’ Wels)

Braga: Fontes; Victor Gómez, Carvalho, Lagerbielke, Bajrami; Rodrigues (55’ Dorgeles), Moutinho, Demir Ege Tıknaz; Gabriel Silva (90’+1 Martínez), Fran Navarro (55’ Travassos), Pau Víctor (83’ Milošević)

Yellow cards: Fischer (29'), Taeseok Lee (34'), Boateng (45'+1); Fran Navarro (30'), Moutinho (79')

Franz-Horr Stadium, referee Nikola Dabanović (Montenegro), 9,702 spectators