A draw against Sturm Graz was not enough

Austria Wien went in the lead through Manprit Sarkaria, but Bekim Balaj equalised shortly before the end. This means that the ‘Violets’ have to play in a qualification group to try and find a way to the Europa League.

Michael Madl and Alexander Grünwald were missing due to their yellow card suspensions, coach Christian Ilzer also had to do without Erik Palmer-Brown due to illness. Alexandar Borković and Maudo Jarjué formed the centre-back. In the defensive midfield, Ilzer relied on Thomas Ebner and James Jeggo, the offense remained unchanged after the 2-2 against Red Bull Salzburg.

Sturm Graz, already qualified for the championship group under coach Nestor El Maestro, relied on a 3-5-2 system against Austria Wien. Anastasios Avlonitis returned to the starting eleven after a muscle injury, replacing Niklas Geyrhofer in the defence. Otherwise, the team remained unchanged after the 2-0 victory against Admira.

Slow first half ...

The initial phase belonged to Austria Wien; Christoph Monschein had the first finish - which went next to the goal - after assist by Andreas Poulsen (13’). After 20 minutes, Sturm Graz came into the game as well, with a shot by Philipp Huspek, Patrick Pentz was on the spot. In return, Manprit Sarkaria had a chance but missed (24’). Stefan Hierländer appeared in front of Pentz in the 26^th minute, Austria Wien’s goalkeeper remained the winner in the duel. After a corner kick, Ivan Ljubic had a chance for a long-range shot, the ball went slightly off target (26’).

On the other side, Christoph Monschein had the chance to score the violet lead after assist by Thomas Ebner but failed on Jörg Siebenhandl (32’). Patrick Pentz defused a shot by Otar Kiteishvili (33’), goalless the teams started the half-time break.

… which changed after the break

After the change of sides, the game became rougher, referee Markus Hameter had to pull out the yellow card four times in the first quarter of an hour. Sturm Graz had chances, finishes by Juan Domínguez and Philipp Huspek missed the goal (54’, 60’). Christian Ilzer brought Patrick Wimmer for Benedikt Pichler.

In the 70^th minute, Austria Wien scored the much-acclaimed opening goal: Manprit Sarkaria used a pass by Dominik Fitz to score the 0-1. After a double pass with Fitz, Thomas Ebner had the chance to the 0-2, but shot well over the goal (75’). Sturm Graz had good opportunities to equalize through Kiteishvili and substitute Jakob Jantscher, but Patrick Pentz was on the spot on both occasions (80’, 84’). In the meantime, Bright Edomwonyi came for Christoph Monschein. The ‘Violets’ were a bit too negligent with the counterattack, and SK Sturm equalized. Bekim Balaj scored after an assist by Jantscher. It was Pentz's turn but he could not prevent the goal (88’).

Maximilian Sax replaced Thomas Ebner, Ilzer had to take a risk. A final shot by Dominik Fitz missed the goal (90’+1’), Florian Klein saw yellow red in the 94^th minute. Despite the 8^th game without a defeat, Austria Wien has to play the qualification round of the tipico Bundesliga.

SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz - FK Austria Wien 1-1 (0-0)

Sturm Graz: Siebenhandl; Ljubic, Avlonitis, Spendlhofer; Sakic, Dominguez (73’ Balaj), Jäger, Kiteishivili, Hierländer; Huspek (68’ Jantscher), Röcher (73’ Friesenbichler)

Austria Wien: Pentz; Klein, Maudo, Borković, Poulsen; Jeggo, Ebner (90’ Sax); Sarkaria, Fitz, Pichler (56’ Wimmer); Monschein (76’ Edomwonyi)

Goals: Balaj (88’); Sarkaria (70’)

Yellow cards: Hierländer (52’), Ljubic (56’), Jäger (61’); Klein (58’)

Yellow red card: Klein (90’+4’)

Merkur Arena, referee Markus Hameter, 9.731 spectators