3rd win in the 3rd match: 1-0 against WAC!

What a game in front of 11,000 spectators in the Generali Arena! Alexander Grünwald shot Austria Wien into the lead, Patrick Pentz saved a penalty twice against Michael Liendl. The Violets deserved to win against the second-placed team in the table.

Manfred Schmid saw no reason to change his starting eleven after two victories at the beginning of spring. Only Johannes Handl had to miss out due to muscular problems, and Lucas Galvão started in his place for the first time.

WAC coach Robin Dutt was able to call on Michael Liendl again, and with the ex-Austrian in the starting eleven, the Carinthians returned to a 4-4-2 system. Sven Sprangler replaced Mario Leitgeb.

Austria with good opportunities

The game started evenly, but bloody. WAC striker Thai Baribo had to be treated with a turban after a collision during a corner kick. Wolfsberg had the first minor scoring chances, but they posed no danger to Patrick Pentz. The first shot of the Veilchen was fired by Aleksandar Jukić, goalkeeper Alexander Kofler was on the spot (14'). Austria for a great counter-attack via Galvão, Manfred Fischer, Alexander Grünwald and Noah Ohio, but he was prevented from finishing (16').

Ohio had another chance shortly afterwards after a mistake by Kofler, but the ball was blocked by Dominik Baumgartner (18'). After one of the numerous ball recoveries in midfield, Grünwald crossed to Ohio, who passed to Fischer. Fischer took the shot, Kofler deflected the ball with difficulty to the bar - the Violets were very close to scoring the opening goal (27').

Towards the end of the first half, the runners-up from Carinthia became stronger. Thai Baribo had a good header, but missed the ball (42'). Jukić had a chance after a quick counter-attack, but failed to beat Kofler (45'+1). A good game went into the break with 0:0.

Grünwald scores, Pentz saves!

Also after the change of ends, the game continued briskly, Austria had the first chance. A shot by Manfred Fischer was blocked, the follow-up shot by Matthias Braunöder landed in the arms of Kofler (47'). In the 57th minute the time had come, 11,000 spectators in the Generali Arena stood on their heads. Manfred Fischer won the ball, Noah Ohio passed to Alexander Grünwald, who scored his first goal of the season from 18 metres.

After a corner kick by Markus Suttner, Lukas Mühl put a header over the goal, a cross from Jukić was missed by Ohio and Fischer (65', 66'). After an Ohio assist, Kofler saved a shot by Fischer (68').

Manfred Schmid made a change a quarter of an hour before the end: Georg Teigl replaced Alexander Grünwald, who received a standing ovation, and Marco Djuričin came on for Noah Ohio.

Five minutes before the end, events in the Generali Arena came to a head! After a VAR check, referee Sebastian Gishamer saw a punishable handball by Lukas Mühl and decided on a penalty. Mühl saw yellow, coach Schmid the red card. Michael Liendl took the penalty kick, Patrick Pentz parried. But Gishamer had the penalty retaken. Liendl tried again and again Patrick Pentz saved the penalty - what a scene (85')!

Shortly afterwards Georg Teigl bumped his head against the knee of an opponent. Luka Lochoshvili reacted with presence of mind and immediately gave first aid. Teigl got back on his feet, but was replaced by Romeo Vucic. Austria Wien carried the victory over the time and won the third game in the spring without conceding a goal.

FK Austria Wien - RZ Pellets WAC 1:0 (0:0)

Austria: Pentz; Martins, Mühl, Galvão, Suttner; Martel, Braunöder; Jukić (90'+5 Ivkić), Grünwald (74' Teigl, 90' Vucic), Fischer; Ohio (75' Djuričin)

WAC: Kofler; Jasic, Baumgartner, Lochoshvili, Dedić (72' Novak); Peretz (71' Wernitznig), Sprangler, Liendl, Taferner (77' Veratschnig); Vizinger, Baribo (72' Röcher)

Goal: Grünwald (57')

Yellow cards: Galvão (22'), Suttner (41'), Martel (51'), Mühl (83'); Baumgartner (45'+1)

Generali-Arena, referee Sebastian Gishamer, 11,000 spectators