Narrow European Cup defeat in Finland

Die Austria musste sich im Hinspiel der 2. Qualifikationsrunde der UEFA Conference League gegen Ilves Tampere aus Finnland mit 2:1 geschlagen geben. Santeri Haarala und Roope Riski trafen nach dem Seitenwechsel für den Gastgeber, Lucas Galvão hielt mit seinem Anschlusstreffer in der 90. Minute die Chance der Veilchen für das Rückspiel am 31. Juli in der Generali-Arena am Leben.

Stephan Helm started his tenure as head coach of Austria with a European Cup match. His first line-up was the same as in the last test against FC Porto, with only Muharem Husković replacing the injured Andreas Gruber, who sat on the bench for the time being.

Ilves Tampere, coached by Joonas Rantanen, went into the game with a 3-2 win over Vaasan Palloseura in their luggage and are in 4th place in the Finnish league.

Brisk game without goals

The Violets got off to a powerful start, putting the Finns under pressure from the outset with high pressing. Muharem Husković scored in the 9th minute, but was offside. Tampere had a chance through Santeri Haarala, Samuel Şahin-Radlinger was able to prove himself for the first time in an Austria shirt (14th). On the counter-attack following the subsequent corner, Husković had a great chance to take an early lead but failed to beat goalkeeper Otso Virtanen (15'). New signing Maurice Malone was set up well by Hakim Guenouche, but his shot was deflected out for a corner (18').

Tampere grew stronger as the first half progressed, with Şahin-Radlinger having to summon all his skill against Oiva Jukkola (25'). After that, Austria again had a few chances: A feed from Reinhold Ranftl was intercepted and a shot from Husković was blocked (36, 39). Dominik Fitz had a shot on target, but it was whistled offside (44'). The game went into half-time goalless.

Tampere became stronger in the course of the first half, Şahin-Radlinger had to summon all his skill against Oiva Jukkola (25'). After that, Austria again had a few chances: A feed from Reinhold Ranftl was intercepted and a shot from Husković was blocked (36, 39). Dominik Fitz had a shot on target, but it was whistled offside (44'). The game went into half-time goalless.

Tampere took a 2:0 lead, Lucas Galvão kept Austria in the game

Ilves Tampere had to replace their goalkeeper and captain Otso Virtanen at the break, with Ville Seppä coming into the game. Abubakr Barry - who made a good debut - had a chance to score in the 48th minute, but his shot was too central. After Austria lost the ball, Santeri Haarala took the chance to give the Finns the lead (51') - the Viennese were now challenged.

Manfred Fischer shot over the goal from distance, after which Stephan Helm made a double substitution (62'). Nik Prelec made his first appearance in a purple shirt, the Slovenian replacing Husković. Andreas Gruber came on for Maurice Malone. The Finns had a great chance to make it 2:0 through Joona Veteli, but fortunately the ball went just wide (66'). Marvin Martins left the pitch in the 68th minute and Matteo Meisl took his place. Prelec missed after an assist from Fitz, Ranftl shot over the goal - the Violets tried to equalise (71st, 74th).

Another new signing, Matteo Pérez Vinlöf, came on shortly before the end, while Guenouche was forced off with a slight injury. Substitute Roope Riski struck a blow for Austria, scoring from a tight angle to make it 2-0 to Tampere in the 88th minute.

Lucas Galvão gave hope to the 300 fans in attendance, the Brazilian centre-back scoring the important equaliser after a solo run following a corner kick (90'). Austria pressed for an equaliser in stoppage time, but were unable to score. The Violets were beaten 2:1 in Finland.

Sportklub Ilves Tampere - FK Austria Wien 2:1 (0:0)
Tampere: Virtanen (46. Seppä); Mäenpää (81. Akpudje), Miettunen, Pikkarainen; Jorginho (62. Ala-Myllymäki); Arifi (81. Riski), Popovitch, Veteli; Jukkola, Haarala, Stjopin (54. Söderbäck)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Potzmann, Martins (68. Meisl), Galvão; Ranftl, Barry, Fischer, Guenouche (81. Pérez Vinlöf); Malone (62. Gruber), Fitz, Husković (62. Prelec)

Goals: Haarala (51), Riski (88); Galvão (90)

Yellow cards: Ala-Myllymäki (67); Husković (29), Martins (31), Barry (75)

Tammelan Stadium, referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz (Spain), 6,000 spectators