Violets clearly defeated by Sturm Graz

The visitors from Graz were the dominant team from the start and took the lead through Gazibegovic in the early stages of the game. After a straight red card against Martins and the subsequent 0-2 by Wlodarczyk, the game was decided. Affengruber made it 0-3 with a header after one hour.

At the end of the first Bundesliga round, the Veilchen welcomed runners-up Sturm Graz to the Generali Arena. Three days after the last-minute win against Borac Banja Luka, the Violets were confident. "We will show up with a broad chest," promised coach Michael Wimmer at the press conference the day before and at the same time warned against the Graz team: "A top team with a clear playing philosophy. We have to perform at the limit.

Compared to the European Cup match, Wimmer changed his team in two positions. Jo Handl started instead of Matteo Meisl, Aco Jukic had to make way for Matthias Braunöder.

Early Graz lead

The visitors took the reins from the start and were rewarded with the opening goal after just eight minutes. After a throw-in by Hierländer, the Veilchen did not clear the ball sufficiently and it fell at the feet of Gazibegovic, who shot from the edge of the penalty area and gave Früchtl no chance (8th minute). The Grazer remained poisonous, combined easily through the violet half - and almost extended their lead after 20 minutes, but: Wlodarczyk was offside after Kiteishvili's pass. A little later it was the Graz side again: After Sarkaria had broken through on the touchline, Kiteishvili was able to finish without any pressure in the penalty area, the ball was just deflected (25th).

Martins sees red

After about half an hour, the 13,000 spectators in the Generali-Arena witnessed the decisive scene: Martins hit Prass' head while trying to clear the ball and was sent off after a VAR decision. A few moments later, the preliminary decision was made in favour of Graz: After Sarkaria's corner, Wlodarczyk headed alone for 0-2 (38th), Prass then hit the crossbar (40th), Schnegg missed (45th+2.) - it remained 0-2. A messed up first half from the violet point of view.

Sturm closes the bag

At the break Michael Wimmer reacted and brought on Polster instead of Fitz and Gruber instead of Holland. The Violets tried to consolidate and just missed a goal with a shot from Polster (56th). After one hour the cheese was eaten. After a Kiteishvili corner, Affengruber beat Polster in a dogfight and put the ball under the crossbar with his head (60th).

Austria remained combative defensively, but could hardly set any accents forward. Next Sunday the Veilchen will meet Austria Lustenau in Ländle (5:00 pm).

Austria Wien - Sturm Grau 0:3 (0:2)

Goals: Gazibegovic (8th), Wlodarczyk (38th), Affengruber (60th)

Austria Wien: Früchtl; Handl, Galvao (74th Meisl), Martins; Ranftl, Holland (46th Gruber), Braunöder, Potzmann; Fischer (74th Jukic), Fitz (46th Polster); Tabakovic (83rd Huskovic)

Sturm Graz: Scherpen; Gazibegovic, Affengruber, Wüthrich, Schnegg (81st Dante); Hierländer, Gorenc-Stankovic, Prass (65th Böving), Kiteishvili (72nd Horvat); Sarkaria (81st Geyrhofer), Wlodrczyk (65th Teixeira).

Yellow: Jukic; Prass, Kiteishvili, Böving

Red: Martins (30th)

Generali-Arena, referee Stefan Ebner, 13,093 spectators:inside