Victory in Linz for self-confidence

Austria won 2:1 against Blau Weiss Linz in the 32nd and final round, with Dominik Fitz scoring from the penalty spot and Alexander Schmidt scoring for the Violets, while Linz's final goal through Simon Pirkl came too late. Due to WAC's simultaneous victory over WSG Tirol, Austria finished the ADMIRAL Bundesliga qualifying group in second place and will have to play in the European Cup play-off in Wolfsberg on Tuesday.

After the bitter home defeat against the WAC, Christian Wegleitner took over as interim coach. The 45-year-old Burgenland native made a few changes to the starting XI: Johannes Handl, Tin Plavotić and Matteo Meisl started in the back three, while Marvin Martins and Lucas Galvão were missing with slight injuries. Manfred Fischer and Marvin Potzmann formed the centre midfield pairing. Fisnik Asllani and Alexander Schmidt started in attack alongside Dominik Fitz.

The promoted team from Linz celebrated their safe relegation in their final game of the season, with coach Gerald Scheiblehner making three changes to his starting XI. Nicolas Schmid returned in goal after recovering from injury, while Danilo Mitrović started on the right in the back four in place of Marcel Schantl. Up front, Ronivaldo was ruled out with muscular problems and Paul Mensah replaced the ex-Austrian.

Fitz takes the lead with a penalty goal

Austria, spurred on by a packed away section with great choreography, began with great commitment. Reinhold Ranftl fired the first shot, which just missed the target (2nd). After winning the ball high up the pitch, Asllani served the ball to Dominik Fitz, who failed to beat Schmid in the Linz goal (3). Blau Weiß Linz had a chance through Simon Pirkl, but it was blocked (5'). Then it was back to the Violets: Frans Krätzig took a shot after a nice combination, but Schmid was able to keep it out (8'). After a corner kick, Lukas Tursch stepped on Johannes Handl's foot and referee Christian-Petru Ciochirca immediately awarded a penalty. Dominik Fitz stepped up and coolly converted into the left corner - his 8th goal of the season (12').

After that, the Viennese continued their frenzy of chances. Manfred Fischer shot over the goal (17'), Fitz failed to beat Schmid (19'). A few seconds later, Asllani appeared in front of the Linz goalkeeper after a pass from Krätzig, but Schmid was again the winner (19'). A deflected shot from Fisnik Asllani was turned over the crossbar with great effort by Schmid, a header from Alex Schmidt narrowly missed the target (26, 27) - the second goal was in the air.

Reinhold Ranftl had the best chance to score the second goal after a pass from Asllani, but shot over the goal (39'). In stoppage time, Christian Früchtl had to stretch to save a shot from Danilo Mitrović and Austria went into the half-time break with a narrow lead.

Alex Schmidt with the 2:0, Linz's follow-up goal not enough

The second half began more quietly, but the Violets were finally able to add a well-deserved second goal in the 54th minute. A deflection from Früchtl reached Fisnik Asllani, who spotted the onrushing Dominik Fitz. Fitz laid off to Alexander Schmidt in front of goal, who pushed the ball over the line to make it 0:2.

At the other end, Conor Noß suddenly appeared in front of Christian Früchtl, but our number 1 kept the upper hand (56'). Christian Wegleitner then made three substitutions: James Holland, Hakim Guenouche and Andreas Gruber replaced Potzmann, Krätzig and Asllani. A little later, Muharem Husković also came on for Alex Schmidt. Gruber had a chance shortly after coming on, but missed (58'). Nicolas Schmid fished a free-kick from Gruber out of the corner of the net (69').

FC Blau Weiß Linz scored the equaliser in the 79th minute through Simon Pirkl, Früchtl was close but could not prevent the goal. Luca Pazourek, who had just come on as a substitute for Reinhold Ranftl, set up Andi Gruber, who again failed to beat the excellent Linz goalkeeper (81'). In stoppage time, a final shot from Mehmet Ibrahimi missed the target by a few centimetres and Austria took three points from Linz to boost their confidence.

FC Blau Weiß Linz - FK Austria Wien 1:2 (0:1)

Linz: Schmid; Mitrović (73. Feiertag), Maranda, Tursch (46. Koch), Pirkl; Dobras, Pašić (67. Krainz), Briedl (67. Gölles); Seidl, Mensah (46. Ibrahimi), Noß

Austria: Früchtl; Handl, Plavotić, Meisl; Ranftl, Fischer, Potzmann (58. Holland), Krätzig (58. Guenouche); Asllani (58. Gruber), Fitz, Schmidt (67. Husković)

Goals: Pirkl (79'); Fitz (12', penalty), Schmidt (54')

Yellow cards: Pirkl (68.), Dobras (74.); Potzmann (44.), Guenouche (87.), Fitz (90.+4)

Hofmann Personal Stadion, referee Christian-Petru Ciochirca, 5,600 spectators