2–0 – Austria come away with a win in Hartberg

Austria celebrated a well-deserved 2–0 away win in Hartberg thanks to debut goals from Daniel Nnodim and Julian Hettwer. Following their successful performances in the UEFA Conference League, the team have now made their mark in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga as well.

Following Thursday’s gruelling 120-minute thriller against Beitar Jerusalem, Stephan Helm rotated the line-up in seven positions again for the away match in Hartberg. With the exception of goalkeeper Samuel Şahin-Radlinger, the Violets reshuffled their entire back line, whilst fresh faces were also brought in for midfield and attack. Aleksandar Dragović was absent due to a red-card suspension from the LASK match; Johannes Handl stepped into central defence in his place. Ibrahim Buhari and Reinhold Ranftl started alongside him. Jonas Feddersen and Matteo Schablas took their places on the bench. Daniel Nnodim formed the midfield alongside Florian Wustinger, Kang Hee Lee and Taeseok Lee. Up front, European Cup hero Sanel Šaljić started alongside Julian Hettwer and Kelvin Boateng. Captain Manfred Fischer, Philipp Maybach, Moritz Wels and Vasilije Marković were given a rest for the time being following their intense performances during the week.

Hartberg manager Markus Schopp was without his son Konstantin due to a yellow-card suspension; Jonas Karner took his place in the back five. In midfield, Oliver Lukic came into the starting line-up in place of Youba Diarra.

Half-time lead thanks to Nnodim’s thunderbolt

An early fine move by the Veilchen involving Daniel Nnodim and Sanel Šaljić ended with a heavy challenge from Tobias Kainz, though it wasn’t enough to warrant a penalty (6’). TSV Hartberg tried their luck with shots from Jonas Karner and Marco Hoffmann, both of which were blocked for corners (8', 12'). Julian Hettwer shot over the bar, before Samuel Şahin-Radlinger was on hand to clear a shot from Paul Komposch (13', 16').  

After 20 minutes, Austria got into the game better, though chances were few and far between at first. In the 33rd minute, however, the moment arrived: a cross from Reinhold Ranftl was headed clear, Taeseok Lee laid the ball off to Daniel Nnodim, and the 18-year-old scored from a good 20 metres to make it 0–1 – his first Bundesliga goal, and what a goal it was!

Hartberg quickly sought an equaliser: Şahin-Radlinger cleared against Lukic, and Ranftl saved against Gattermayer (35', 36'). Nnodim played Boateng in well, but his cross was intercepted (44'), and the teams went into the break with Austria holding a narrow lead.

Julian Hettwer added to the tally

Taeseok Lee came out of the dressing room full of energy and fired a shot from a full run, but the ball went just wide of the goal (46'). As the rain began to fall, Austria allowed Hartberg to have their say; a volley from Hoffmann went wide (57'). Stephan Helm then made some substitutions: Johannes Eggestein, Manfred Fischer and Vasilije Marković came on for Boateng, Šaljić and Wustinger.

The Violets then took control. A long throw-in from Nnodim was flicked on by Kang Hee Lee to Eggestein, who narrowly missed the target (63'). Ranftl shot wide after a sprint across half the pitch – as did Hettwer shortly afterwards (65’, 68’). Marković won the ball, leading to a shot from Eggestein, which was blocked (72’).

Philipp Maybach replaced Daniel Nnodim, and shortly afterwards the Violets doubled their lead: Julian Hettwer chipped the ball over goalkeeper Armin Pecsi following a superb pass from Manfred Fischer to make it 0–2 – the German was also able to celebrate his first goal.

Hettwer almost added another goal, but Pecsi managed to save it (78'). In the counter-attack, Şahin-Radlinger tipped a shot from Gattermayer away from the corner (79'). Hettwer left the pitch to applause from the large contingent of travelling Austria fans, making way for Jonas Feddersen; Pecsi saved a shot from Eggestein (90+1').

The score remained 0–2, with Austria deservedly beating Hartberg thanks to a strong second half.

TSV Hartberg – Austria Wien 0–2 (0–1)

Hartberg: Pecsi; Karner (64’ Onuoha), Komposch, Spendlhofer, Wilfinger, Coulibaly (64’ Gerstl); Kainz (75’ Feldhofer), Lukic (84’ Diarra), Markus; Hoffmann (75’ Urrutia), Gattermayer

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Ranftl, Handl, Buhari; Nnodim (75’ Maybach), Kang Hee Lee, Wustinger (61’ Marković), Taeseok Lee; Hettwer (84’ Feddersen), Boateng (61’ Eggestein), Šaljić (61’ Fischer)

Goals: Nnodim (33'), Hettwer (76')

Yellow cards: Gattermayer (14'), Coulibaly (45+1'); Boateng (59')

Profertil Arena Hartberg, referee Emil Ristoskov, 3,620 spectators