Austria celebrates clear away win in Hartberg

Hartberg president Brigitte Annerl celebrated her birthday, but the Violets did not leave a guest gift in the form of points. Andreas Gruber gave Austria the lead with a magnificent shot. Aleksandar Jukić added a goal after the break and Thomas Kofler's own goal sealed the Violets' victory.

Manfred Schmid made only one change to his starting eleven after Thursday's draw in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Ziad El Sheiwi made his long-awaited comeback and started on the left in the back four. Marvin Martins was given a well-deserved rest and was not in the squad this time.

Hartberg under coach Klaus Schmidt last achieved a 0-0 against Sturm Graz, Patrick Farkas, Manfred Gollner and Dominik Frieser appeared new in the starting lineup. Matija Horvat was missing due to suspension.

Andi Gruber put Austria in the lead with a dream goal

Austria was the clear game-dominating team from the start with over 70% possession. Lucas Galvão had the first chance in the 5th minute after a corner from Dominik Fitz, but the center-back shot over. A header from Aleksandar Jukić after a cross from Reinhold Ranftl went just past the goal (14th). Galvão won the ball in his own half, via James Holland and Matthias Braunöder the ball came to Andreas Gruber. The winger moved into the middle and scored from 29 meters under the crossbar - an absolute dream goal, 0-1 in the 24th minute.

There was very little to see from the hosts offensively, Dominik Frieser was offside in the only chance of Hartberg (15th). The Violets remained dominant. After an assist from Fitz, Raphael Sallinger parried a finish from Jukić (27th), shots from Braunöder and Fitz went just wide (33rd, 38th). 10-2 shots on goal were on the stat sheet at the end of the first half, score 1-0 for Austria.

Austria made the sack

Klaus Schmid made two changes at the break. With Dario Tadić and René Kriwak two offensive forces came into the game, but the scoring chances still had the guests from Favoriten. After a corner kick by Dominik Fitz, Sallinger deflected a header by Lukas Mühl onto the crossbar (53rd). Aleksandar Jukić missed a good opportunity after a counterattack, but shortly afterwards the 22-year-old scored to make it 2-0. Manfred Fischer sent Gruber on his way, whose perfect cross was pushed over the line by Jukić (57th).

Lucas Galvão blocked Dario Tadić's shot in front of the line, and on the counterattack Jukić shot just wide of the goal (62). Manfred Schmid then made three changes: Muharem Husković, Haris Tabaković and Georg Teigl replaced Aleksandar Jukić, Dominik Fitz and Andreas Gruber. A Braunöder free kick went over the goal (66th), and a minute later the final decision was made. Husković took the ball to the middle after Braunöder's pass, Thomas Kofler hit his own goal in front of the lurking Georg Teigl - 0-3 (67th).

A cross from Reinhold Ranftl was cleared by Mario Sonnleitner in front of Husković, who was ready to shoot, and Dario Kreiker, who replaced El Sheiwy, missed a chance on the counterattack (78th, 83rd). Christian Früchtl holds the zero against Kriwak in the 88th minute, Austria wins confidently 3-0 in Hartberg and climbs to the top half of the table for the first time in the season after the fifth consecutive Bundesliga game without defeat.

TSV Hartberg - FK Austria Wien 0:3 (0:1)

Hartberg: Sallinger; Farkas (73rd Kröpfl), Sonnleitner, Gollner, Kofler; Kainz, Heil (82nd Ejupi); Frieser, Fadinger, Almog (46th Kriwak); Paintsil (46th Tadić)

Austria: Früchtl; Ranftl, Mühl, Galvão, El Sheiwy (80th Kreiker); Braunöder (76th Keles), Holland; Gruber (62nd Teigl), Fischer, Jukić (63rd Husković); Fitz (63rd Tabaković)

Goals: Gruber (24th), Jukić (57th), Kofler (67th, own goal)

Yellow cards: Sonnleitner (7th); Holland (10th), Husković (71st)

Profertil Arena Hartberg, referee Stefan Ebner, 3,003 spectators