Violets fight for a point in Klagenfurt

The Violets equalize a 0-2 deficit and get a point in Klagenfurt. Benatelli and Karweina scored twice after the break, while substitute Fisnik Asllani and Reinhold Ranftl equalized.

"Give us 3 points!" This was the Christmas wish of the many Violets who had traveled to Carinthia, who drew attention to themselves before the game with a remarkable choreography. Before kick-off of the 17th round, the last of the calendar year, the motto was clear: a win was needed.

Dominik Fitz was missing from Michael Wimmer's squad, as was Aleksandar Jukic. Muki Huskovic started up front in place of Fisnik Asllani.

Numerous chances in the first half

Klagenfurt created the first major chance, playing their usual straightforward game from the outset and starting the match as the more active team. Sinan Karweina sent the quick-as-an-arrow Solomon Bonnah into the lane, who found his marker in Chris Früchtl (2').

The Violets only found their game after a quarter of an hour: Johannes Handl with a good pass to Andi Gruber, whose finish with his weaker foot was too central (15'). Less than two minutes later, the scene was almost identical: once again, the energetic Handl sent Gruber on his way, but Fischer failed to beat Menzel in the penalty area (18').

Austria Vienna had taken command after twenty minutes and created chances by the minute. A Ranftl pass was too poorly placed (20'), a Potzmann finish rolled past the box (22'), a Polster cross was cleared by the opponent (25'), Djoric saved with a sliding tackle from Polster, who was ready to shoot (26').

When it seemed only a matter of time before the Violets took the lead, the game faltered. Although they didn't concede anything at the back, they repeatedly showed some shortcomings in the attacking third. Rico Benatelli missed a set-piece shortly before the break, meaning the score remained 0-0 at the break.

Klagenfurt strike twice - Asllani & Ranftl equalize

The Carinthians came out of the break with great commitment and ran the ball well. An Irving cross found the head of Karweina - Früchtl made the save (53'). Then, in the 57th minute, there was jubilation among the Violets. After Polster's cross, Huskovic was in the right place and netted for the supposed lead before the VAR intervened to correct the situation.

Klagenfurt then once again made a lot out of very little: After a Gemicibasi corner, Binder crossed for Benatelli, who made it 1:0 for the home side from three meters out. And it got even worse. After mistakes in the build-up, Sinan Karweina even extended the lead with a deflected shot.

The long faces on the coaches' bench were short-lived: A long pass to Andi Gruber, who slipped Wimmer a pickle - Asllani roared in and scored (again after a VAR decision) to make it 1-2. Klagenfurt's mistakes became more frequent and the Violets' attacks became bolder and more aggressive. Djoric almost scored an own goal after a Potzmann corner.

In the 86th minute, Reini Ranftl made sure of the deserved equalizer: The ball came to the veteran via Asllani and Vucic, who did not hesitate for long and pushed the ball into the corner from around twelve metres. Vucic even had the lead shortly afterwards. Ranftl cleared twice on the line at the last second from Gemicibasi's corner to keep the score at 2-2.

Austria Klagenfurt - Austria Vienna 2-2 (0-0)

Austria Klagenfurt: Menzel; Wimmer, Djoric, Mahrer, Jaritz (60th Binder), Irving (60th Wernitznig), Benatelli, Schumacher, Gemicibasi, Bonnah, Karweina

Austria Wien: Früchtl; Handl, Martins, Galvao; Ranftl, Potzmann, Braunöder (67th Asllani), Polster (67th Guenoche), Fischer, Gruber (83rd Vucic), Huskovic (94th Holland)

Goals: Benatelli (63rd), Karweina (64th); Asllani (73rd), Ranftl (86th)

28 Black Arena, 2,450 spectators:inside, referee Ciochirca