2-1 win at Legia Warsaw!

Austria Wien created a very good starting position for the return match in Favoriten next Thursday with a 2-1 away win at Polish runners-up Legia Warsaw. Muki Husković scored a brace to give the Violets a 2-0 lead, Ernest Muçi scored the Polish goal shortly before the end.

Marvin Martins started in place of Johannes Handl, James Holland and Marvin Potzmann moved into the team for Manfred Fischer and Manuel Polster - these three changes were made by coach Michael Wimmer compared to the win in Lustenau.

Legia Warsaw were 3-0 winners over Ruch Chorzow at the weekend, with the Poles narrowly beating Ordabasy Shymkent of Kazakhstan 5-4 on aggregate in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Muki put Austria in the lead

Already in the first minute the Violets had the first, smaller chance. A shot by Andreas Gruber was blocked for a corner. Tin Plavotić was injured after only a few minutes and had to be replaced by Johannes Handl. Pawel Wszolek fired the first shot on Austria's goal, Christian Früchtl was on the spot (5th). After 11 minutes the Austria fans could already cheer! Dominik Fitz "nosed over" a back pass from Juergen Elitim, played ideally to Muharem Husković, who pushed the ball over the line.

Austria continued to successfully press, a volley from Reinhold Ranftl just missed the goal (16th). Husković missed a cross from Gruber by a hair's breadth and Fitz's subsequent shot was blocked for a corner (17th). In the 33rd minute, Yuri Ribeiro took a Stanglpass to the centre, Wszolek finished, Christian Früchtl made a great save. Legia Warsaw also had to make a change in the first half due to injury, with centre-back Artur Jędrzejczyk coming on for Radovan Pankov. Another high ball win resulted in a chance for Marvin Potzmann, but his shot was deflected for a corner (40th). Also a shot by Gruber went just past the goal (43rd). A strong Austria went into the break with a 1-0 advantage.

Husković added another - late goal conceded

Manuel Polster came on for Marvin Potzmann in the second half. And again it took 11 minutes for the violets to cheer after a Husković goal! Polster placed a perfect cross, Muki was on hand to head in - 2-0 for Austria!

After that, the Violets were lucky - and goalkeeper Früchtl. The Poles appeared twice in the Austria penalty area. Früchtl saved Marc Gual's chance, Tomáš Pekhart shot past the goal (57th, 59th). Matthias Braunöder narrowly missed a cross from Gruber, after which Michi Wimmer made two changes: Manfred Fischer and Silva came on for Gruber and double goal scorer Husković.

Chris Früchtl again distinguished himself with good long-range shots by substitute Ernest Muçi - a great day's work for the Austria keeper (75th, 77th). In the final phase of the game, the Poles pressed for a goal, but Austria had the best chance after Lucas Galvão won the ball. Dominik Fitz sent Silva on his way, who fought well against two defenders, but failed to score against Kacper Tobiasz (86th). Almost in return, Legia scored the equaliser when Muçi headed in Baku's cross to make it 1-2 (87th).

Hakim Guenouche made a short appearance, but the Violets survived the five minutes of injury time. With a 2-1 away win, Austria celebrated their third European Cup victory in a row.

Legia Warsaw - Austria Wien 1-2 (0-1)

Legia Warsaw: Tobiasz; Pankov (37th Jędrzejczyk), Augustyniak, Ribeiro; Wszolek, Slisz (60th Rosołek), Elitim (73rd Celhaka), Kun (73rd Baku); Josué, Pekhart, Gual (60th Muçi).

Austria: Früchtl; Martins, Plavotić (6. Handl), Galvão; Ranftl, Braunöder, Holland, Potzmann (46. Polster); Gruber (67. Fischer), Husković (67. Silva), Fitz (89. Guenouche)

Goals: Muçi (87.); Husković (11., 56.)

Yellow cards: Pekhart (90.+5); Potzmann (21.), Ranftl (38.)

Stadion Wojska Polskiego, referee Pierre Gaillouste (France), 26,915 spectators