FK Austria Wien defeats leader Sturm Graz

After the great rotation in the cup-match against Ebreichsdorf Thorsten Fink set once again on his Derby winners. Raphael Holzhauser and Petar Filipovic were also fit in time for the big game.

Franco Foda changed his team on some positions after the elimination against St. Pölten. Gratzei, Lykogiannis, Huspek and Edomwonyi were new to the starting line-up. Scorer Deni Alar started despite an adductor problem. Also Jeggo and Lykogiannis were slightly injured, but passed the fitness test.

At first scoreless

The “Violets” began strong, Captain Alexander Grünwald opened the game with a perfect pass to Larry Kayode who, as Felipe Pires with his additional contribution failed on Sturm-goalkeeper Gratzei (7.). Sturm first came close to Osman Hadzikic’s goal with a free-kick, Lykogiannis’ shot went over the bar (15.). On the other side of the pitch Raphael Holzhauser approached a free-kick from great distance, Gratzei turned the ball over the bar (24.). Another free-kick shot by Holzhauser after 31 minutes was dangerous again, but Lukas Rotpuller and Petar Filipovic failed during the finish.

FK Austria Wien had big difficulties during the first half against the very low-lying opponent team, despite 72% of possession and a pass rate of over 88% the “Violets” rarely made it into the dangerous attack third. It took up to 43 minutes before a shot on target by Tarkan Serbest was recorded again, Gratzei was there. Hadzikic parried a shot by Alar (45), with the 0:0 the break started.

Reaching success with standards

Sturm started well into the second half, Hadzikic saved the “Violets” of a residue after a chance from Huspek (49.). The “Violets” answered with Kayode, who was hit in the penalty box on the head with an arm by Lykogiannis. Referee Ouschan immediately decided on a penalty kick. Like during the Derby Raphael Holzhauser made the kick, chose the lower right corner this time and let Gratzei no chance - 1:0 (51.).

Alexander Grünwald – in his 200^th tipico national league game - provided the template for the next chance for the “Violets”, but Lykogiannis prevented Felipe Pires from concluding (54.). A free kick after a foul on Serbest in the right half of the field was again a case for Raphael Holzhauser: His perfectly timed, low cross took Larry Kayode, again the ball landed in the goal - 2:0 (68.).

A thrust by Jens Stryger Larsen forced Lykogiannis to a risky rescue, Gratzei prevented an own goal (73.). Fabian Koch came to a finish, but his shot went wide over the crossbar (74.). Franco Foda brought two former players of FK Austria Wien for the offensive during the final phase: Philipp Zulechner and Roman Kienast. Thorsten Fink had to take the slightly ailing Tarkan Serbest out of the game, he was replaced by Dominik Prokop.

Sturm Graz could not redefine. Even during the 5-minute stoppage time no chance of the league leader was permitted. FK Austria Wien celebrated their third shutout victory in the tipico national league.

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

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