Radonjić heads Austria to victory against Altach

There was great relief as the first win of the season was secured. The winning goal was scored by Dejan Radonjić, making his debut in the starting line-up, from a corner by Sanel Šaljić in the 57th minute. The violet defense was solid and allowed the visitors few chances. A deserved 1-0 win for Austria. 

Head coach Stephan Helm made two changes to the starting lineup, with both newcomers making their debut. In the back three, Dejan Radonjić replaced the injured Tin Plavotić, who was not in the squad today. Sanel Šaljić started in place of Manprit Sarkaria behind strikers Johannes Eggestein and Maurice Malone.

The opponents from Altach, who were successful in the ÖFB Cup at SV Donau during the week, also had a debutant in their starting lineup, with young Austrian Erkin Yalcin playing alongside former violet Alexander Gorgon. Vesel Demaku was unavailable due to a broken collarbone suffered the previous week.

Goalless first half

In a lively start to the game, the Violets had the first chances: Malone passed to the middle after a good dribble, but Šaljić narrowly missed the ball (8'). Reinhold Ranftl, who was playing in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga for the 100th time in a violet shirt, missed the target twice with shots (9', 16'). Johannes Eggestein also tried his luck with a long-range shot, but Dejan Stojanović in the Altacher goal saved the ball (19'). The strong Sanel Šaljić had a chance after good interplay with Taeseok Lee, but failed to score, as did Maurice Malone shortly afterwards, thanks to the visitors' goalkeeper (22', 25').

The Violets, who placed great emphasis on defensive stability, had the Vorarlbergers well under control, and the game went into halftime with the score at 0-0.

Grand debut for the newcomers

A first shot from Taeseok Lee shortly after the restart was too central, and Austria remained on the front foot. In the 57th minute, the two debutants were able to celebrate together with over 13,500 spectators at the Generali Arena: Sanel Šaljić curled a corner towards the far post, and Dejan Radonjić gave the Violets a 1-0 lead with a powerful header!

A free kick from Aleksandar Dragović went over the goal, and substitute Anteo Fetahu sent a bicycle kick just wide of Samuel Şahin-Radlinger's goal (69', 74'). Noah Botić came on in place of the energetic Johannes Eggestein, and a few minutes before the end, Manprit Sarkaria and Philipp Maybach replaced Maurice Malone and Sanel Šaljić.

Şahin-Radlinger saved a shot from Yann Massombo from the corner (86'), and Altach's final offensive remained without success. Austria inflicted Altach's first defeat of the season and won 1-0.

Austria Wien - SCR Altach 1-0 (0-0)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Radonjić, Dragović, Wiesinger; Ranftl, Fischer, Barry, Taeseok Lee; Šaljić (82' Maybach); Eggestein (73' Botić), Malone (82' Sarkaria)

Altach: Stojanović; Jäger, Estrada, Koller; Ingolitsch, Massombo (90+1' Gugganig), Bähre, Ouédraogo; Yalcin, Greil (82' Milojević), Gorgon (69' Fetahu)

Goal: Radonjić (57')

Yellow cards: Jäger (68'), Bähre (77')

Generali Arena, referee Stefan Ebner, 13,588 spectators