A clear 4–1 win in the final friendly against Paksi FC

In their final pre-season friendly, Austria Wien secured a commanding 4–1 win over Paksi FC from Hungary. Sanel Šaljić put the Violets ahead in the first half, before Manfred Fischer, Moritz Wels and Julian Hettwer added to the tally after the break.

Stephan Helm fielded two new signings, Ibrahim Buhari and Jonas Feddersen, in the back three, which was completed by Kang Hee Lee. Reinhold Ranftl and Matteo Schablas started on the wings, whilst captain Manfred Fischer and Florian Wustinger formed the central midfield pairing. Up front, Vasilije Marković, Johannes Eggestein and Sanel Šaljić started the match.

Šaljić opens the scoring

The third-placed side in the Hungarian league got off to a lively start and made the first impressions, but the Violets were able to nip these in the bud early on. After a few minutes, Manfred Fischer and his team took control themselves and created their first chances. Eggestein broke through down the left wing, but Šaljić narrowly missed his cross (12’).

Three minutes later, it was virtually a repeat of the previous move, but this time with a better outcome: Šaljić controlled the ball perfectly and then lobbed it superbly over the visitors’ goalkeeper to make it 1–0 (15’)! Following a shot by Fischer, Buhari had another go on goal and thrashed the ball into the net from five metres at what felt like over 100 km/h, but his goal was disallowed for handball (22').

After half an hour, Schablas had to leave the pitch early due to mild circulatory problems, but he gave the all-clear at half-time. Marijan Österreicher came on in his place (31'). Shortly before half-time, Samuel Şahin-Radlinger was called into action for the first time, but the Violets’ goalkeeper had no trouble dealing with a shot from inside the penalty area (44'). At the other end, Marković had a chance to score the second goal following a pass from Eggestein, but the Hungarian keeper was also on hand (45') .

Fischer, Wels and Hettwer add to the tally

After the break, it was the captain who made it 2–0. Fischer initiated the attack himself; Marković broke through on the left and then played an ideal pass into the centre, where Fischer, perfectly positioned, slotted home with ease (52.)! In the immediate counter-attack, Paksi did manage to pull one back through Erik Silye (53'), but the Hungarian Cup winners of 2024 and 2025 did not pose any real threat thereafter.

Instead, Austria added two more goals: In the 65th minute, Eggestein once again played the ball in behind the defence, where substitute Julian Hettwer laid it off perfectly to Moritz Wels, who had also just come on – 3–1. And just moments later, Ranftl sent Hettwer through, a run that was crowned with the goal to make it 4–1 (66)!

In the closing stages, Hasan Deshishku and Abdoulaye Kanté also came on, whilst Aleksandar Dragović returned to the line-up. Austria continued to dominate proceedings, but further goals failed to materialise. Hettwer had the best chance shortly before the final whistle (90+1').

The Violets thus end their pre-season unbeaten, with four wins and two draws. On Thursday, the Violets kick off their competitive campaign with the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League away at FK Liepāja.

Stephan Helm: “We’ve played in various line-ups throughout pre-season and today we once again fielded many new signings and young players. Everyone did a decent job; there were plenty of good moments, but – especially in the first half – there were also situations where we can do better. We’re now looking forward to the first competitive matches; we’re kicking off internationally straight away, with the fantastic cup tie against Sport-Club in between – we can’t wait to get started.”

Austria Wien – Paksi FC 4–1 (1–0)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger – Buhari (Toifl 46'), Kang Hee Lee (Dragović 60'), Feddersen (Radonjić 73') – Ranftl, Wustinger (Wels 60'), Fischer ©, Schablas (Österreicher 31') – Marković (Deshishku 73'), Eggestein (Kanté 77'), Šaljić (Hettwer 60')

Goals: Šaljić 15', Fischer 52', Wels 65', Hettwer 66'; Silye 53'

Not in the squad: Taeseok Lee (on holiday following the World Cup), Botić, Sarkaria (both recovering from injury), Wiesinger, Maybach, Handl (all carrying minor knocks), Boateng (behind in training), Mörth, Nnodim (both with the Young Violets)

Generali Arena, 883 fans; referee Stauber