2:3 – home defeat against Rijeka

Heiko Westermann returned to the defence and Tarkan Serbest was able to start on his usual position in defensive midfield. Thomas Salamon represented the injured Christoph Martschinko on the left in the back-four. Thorsten Fink brought Christoph Monschein on the right wing this time, Raphael Holzhauser and David de Paula formed the midfield centre, Kevin Friesenbichler started as the single striker.

Rijeka coach Matjaz Kek changed his team only on two positions after the 1:0 defeat against Istra: Mate Males and Maxwell Acosty replaced Domagoj Pavicic and Matic Crnic in the midfield. Alexander Gorgon started on the left wing.

Two goals by Gavranovic put the Croatians in the lead

FK Austria Wien started ambitiously in the game, controlled the ball and opponents well. In the first 15 minutes scenes in the goal areas were nowhere to be seen on either side of the field. Completely out of nowhere, Rijeka took the lead, a combination over Acosty and Bradaric finished Gavranovic - that was too easy (21').

Shortly after, the “Violets” had a great chance to equalize: Christoph Monschein took on a perfect cross from Florian Klein, but his shot landed with goalkeeper Sluga (24'). The Croatian champion got a boost through their lead, a finish by Acosty parried Patrick Pentz (28'), a shot from Bradaric went over the goal (30'). Austria faced problems with Rijeka’s wing play, Salamon lost a one-on-one with Acosty on the right. Gavranovic took the ball from full speed and increased to 0:2 (31').

After a corner by Holzhauser, Friesenbichler came to a header, but just like a long shot in minute 43, it went past the goal (37'). The “Violets” went into the dressing room with a 0-2 residue.

Friesenbichler brought a brief glimmer of hope

Both coaches trusted their starting line-ups, but David de Paula had to be replaced by Ismael Tajouri-Shradi in minute 59. Gorgon had the first chance during the second half, but his finish was saved on the line (49'). A free-kick by Holzhauser from a promising position landed in the wall (64').

The Croatians were standing back, waiting for counter attacks and hardly allowed the “Violets” chances. It was only in the minute 72 that more than 20,000 Austria fans jumped up from their seats: A long shot from Tajouri-Shradi, deflected by Sluga, went on the bar. Tarkan Serbest also tried, but his shot missed the goal (77'). With Dominik Prokop for Serbest, Fink brought more offensive power.

Rijeka was again dangerous with Alex Gorgon, the former “Violet-Star” shot a corner over the goal (81'). Kvrzic had a good chance also in minute 81. Kevin Friesenbichler scored after a free-kick by Holzhauser in minute 90 and brought hope back to the “Violets”. Unfortunately, the other attempts failed and from a counter-attack Kvrzic scored the 1-3.

FK Austria Wien - HNK Rijeka 1:3 (0:2)

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