Austria had to admit defeat to Wolfsberg 0:1

A goal from Scott Kennedy in the 32nd minute tipped the scales in Wolfsberger AC's favour. Austria missed numerous opportunities, especially in the first half, but suffered a minor setback in the battle for the top six. Lucas Galvão were shown two yellow cards so he will miss the next game against LASK.

Matteo Meisl replaced the suspended Marvin Martins and Lucas Galvão moved to centre-back. Otherwise, Michael Wimmer relied on his successful team of recent weeks.

Manfred Schmid's WAC are in 6th place ahead of the game and the Viennese made two changes to his starting XI: Nikolas Veratschnig and Ervin Omić slipped out, while Adis Jasic and Samson Tijani returned to the team.

Goal drought ended

Manfred Fischer had the first shot on target in a rather varied start, but missed (3rd). After a free-kick from Jonathan Scherzer, Mohamed Bamba had a header, but Christian Früchtl saved it safely (7). A cross from Reinhold Ranftl was intercepted by Hendrik Bonmann in the Carinthian goal ahead of Fisnik Asllani (9').

The Violets shifted up a gear after 20 minutes. Andreas Gruber missed a Stangl pass from Manuel Polster, a minute later Gruber headed towards goal after a dream pass from Fischer, but Bonmann was able to keep his shot out (21, 22). Ranftl shot over the goal after Polster's pass, Matteo Meisl had a dangerous shot after a free-kick from Aleksandar Jukić, but Scott Kennedy cleared on the line (24, 26).

Nevertheless, WAC broke the Purple & White goal drought after 828 minutes, Scott Kennedy scoring with his head from Thierno Ballo's cross to make it 1:0 (32'). The action was preceded by an incorrect throw-in in favour of the Carinthians.

Austria had a double chance to equalise in the 40th minute through Ranftl and Polster, and a minute later Fischer and Asllani had shots blocked by the Wolfsburg backline. Früchtl saved from Bamba in the 45th minute and Austria went into the break with a narrow deficit.

First defeat after 8 games

WAC scored shortly after the restart through Jonathan Scherzer to make it 2:0, but Thierno Ballo was just offside - the goal did not count (47'). After an hour, Michael Wimmer brought on three fresh attacking players: Dominik Fitz, Muharem Husković and Alexander Schmidt came on for Andi Gruber, Manfred Fischer and Fisnik Asllani.

The game became increasingly tense and the Violets struggled against Wolfsburg, who were getting deeper and deeper. Aleksandar Jukić, who had been slightly ill during the week, was replaced by Matthias Braunöder in the 73rd minute. Lucas Galvão was shown a yellow card in the 79th minute, which did not make the task any easier.

It was only in the absolute final phase that Austria were able to create opportunities again: A Braunöder shot after a corner from Dominik Fitz was cleared on the line, Bonmann defused a header from Marvin Potzmann (88th, 89th). Früchtl prevented substitute Nikolas Veratschnig from scoring during a counter-attack in stoppage time. A final free-kick from Dominik Fitz was also unsuccessful and Austria were beaten by Wolfsberger AC.

RZ Pellets WAC - FK Austria Wien 1:0 (1:0)

WAC: Bonmann; Baumgartner, Piesinger, Kennedy; Jasic, Tijani, Altunashvili, Scherzer; Ballo (76. Veratschnig), Boakye, Bamba (69. Zimmermann)

Austria: Früchtl; Handl, Galvão, Meisl; Ranftl, Jukić (73. Braunöder), Potzmann, Polster; Gruber (63. Fitz), Asllani (63. Schmidt), Fischer (63. Husković)

Goal: Kennedy (32.)

Yellow cards: Altunashvili (50.), Bamba (58.), Boakye (63.), Kennedy (80.), Scherzer (90.+5); Galvão (56.), Handl (63.)

Yellow-red card: Galvão (79)

Lavanttal-Arena, referee Walter Altmann, 4,066 spectators