Austria Wien lost against Sturm Graz — 1-2

With a 2-1 defeat in Graz, Austria Wien must content themselves with a place in the qualifying group after a dramatic game. Dominik Fitz scored for the “Violets”, Kevin Friesenbichler and Jon Gorenc Stankovic scored for Sturm Graz, Benedikt Pichler received a red card.

Andreas Poulsen celebrated his comeback against Sturm Graz, Benedikt Pichler was back in the squad. Peter Stöger made a system change, starting in a 4-5-1 system with Marco Djuricin as the striker. Aleksandar Jukić returned to the starting line-up, Christoph Monschein and Patrick Wimmer took their places on the bench for the time being.

Sturm Graz coach Christian Ilzer made three changes after the 1-1 draw against Wattens: Niklas Geyerhofer and Amadou Dante started in defense, while Kelvin Yeboah started in the attack.

Goalless before the break

Austria Wien started very committed, Manprit Sarkaria fired the first shot after a pass from Dominik Fitz, Jörg Siebenhandl blocked to the corner (6’). Fitz sent Andreas Poulsen forward, David Nemeth was able to clear his cross with difficulty (8’). Marco Djuricin narrowly missed a cross by Georg Teigl - Dominik Fitz was part of the action again (10’).

After that, the hosts found their way into the game. Patrick Pentz was on the spot after a shot by Jakob Jantscher, Stefan Hierländer's shot clearly missed the goal (22’, 35’). Georg Teigl prevailed on the right side and passed back to Aleksandar Jukić, whose finish hit a teammate on the back (40’). The break started with a 0-0.

Red card for Pichler and defeat during stoppage time

After an intensive discussion with his coaching team during the half-time break, Peter Stöger switched, with Benedikt Pichler instead of Aleksandar Jukić a second striker came into the game. Sturm Graz had the first chance, but a header by Niklas Geyerhofer after a corner was blocked by Eric Martel (48’). Dominik Fitz circled a free kick to Erik Palmer-Brown, whose header was not precise enough (52’). Eric Martel had a great chance to score the lead but put the ball past the goal after assist by Marco Djuricin (56’). Shortly after Austria Wien had to play with ten men, Benedikt Pichler had to leave the field after a red card because of a foul on Sandro Ingolitsch (57’). Sturm Graz had to replace him because of an injured, we wish him a speedy recovery.

A shot by Jakob Jantscher was blocked, on the other side a shot by Manprit Sarkaria went over the goal (62’, 63’). A goal by Kelvin Yeboah was rightly denied for an offside position (75’). A quarter of an hour before the end, Peter Stöger took full risk; for the defenders Stephan Zwierschitz and Andreas Poulsen came two offensive forces: Patrick Wimmer and Christoph Monschein.

Substitute Kevin Friesenbichler gave Austria Wien a severe setback in the 85^th minute, the former “Violet” scored the 1-0 after assist by Andreas Kuen. Dominik Fitz equalized immediately; the midfielder hit the far corner after a pass by Patrick Wimmer (87’). But all efforts were in vain. Jon Gorenc Stankovic scored the 2-1 for Sturm Graz a few seconds before the end, a handball by Friesenbichler previously went unpunished.

Austria Wien lost the match against Sturm Graz and has to fight for a European Cup ticket in the qualifying group.

SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz - FK Austria Wien 2-1 (0-0)

Sturm Graz: Siebenhandl; Geyerhofer (82’ Jäger), Nemeth, Ingolitsch (60’ Gazibegovic), Dante; Gorenc Stankovic; Hierländer (82’ Shabanhaxhaj), Ljubic, Kuen; Yeboah (82’ Balaj), Jantscher (78’ Friesenbichler)

Austria Wien: Pentz; Zwierschitz (76’ Monschein), Schösswendter, Palmer-Brown, Poulsen (76’ Wimmer); Teigl, Fitz, Martel, Jukić (46’ Pichler), Sarkaria; Djuricin

Goals: Friesenbichler (85’), Gorenc Stankovic (90’+4’); Fitz (87’)

Yellow cards: Geyerhofer (66’); Martel (44’)

Red card: Pichler (57’)

Merkur Arena, referee Alan Kijas, no spectators due to the COVID-19 regulation