'Violets' play 1-1 against Sturm Graz

After the slip-up against Alltach Thomas Letsch send an almost unchanged starting line-up on the pitch against SK Sturm. With the starting line-up debut from Ewandro instead of Thomas Ebner, the line-up was a bit more offensive this time.

Sturm, recently 1-2 against Red Bull Salzburg, started in a 4-1-4-1 system, former violet top scorer Philipp Hosiner started in the front. Anastasios Avlonitis stayed on the bench instead of him, Lukas Grozurek replaced Sandi Lovric in the midfield.

Early goal by Zulj

Austria Wien had the first chance of the game, after a cross by Ewandro and a header by Kevin Friesenbichler, Jörg Siebenhandl saved from Alexander Grünwald (2'). Sturm Graz responded with a finish by Peter Zulj, after assist by Hosiner the shot went just past the pole (7'). Shortly after, the ball was in the goal, Zulj toe-poked the ball over the line after a cross by Philipp Huspek - 0-1 (8').

Uroš Matić prepared a chance to equalize with a long shot, Alexander Grünwald failed on Siebenhandl with a header and with the follow-up shot (21'). A free-kick trick by Matić landed over Grünwald with Friesenbichler, his beautiful volley unfortunately only hit the outside net (26'). Patrick Pentz deflected a shot by Hosiner to the corner (30'). A well-played counterattack ended with Dominik Prokop, Siebenhandl defused his shot (42'). Quickly the game moved to the other side, this time Pentz was the winner against Otar Kiteishvili (43'). Grozurek had the last chance of the first half (45'+1'), with the narrow residue the teams went into the dressing rooms.

Friesenbichler equalized

Thomas Ebner came into the game for Cristián Cuevas after the break, Uroš Matić moved to the left in the back four. Friesenbichler appeared in front of Siebenhandl after a long ball, but hesitated too long during his finish (47'). Only one minute later the Styrian achieved his long-awaited Bundesliga goal: Thomas Ebner fought through on the left against Fabian Koch, Friesenbichler headed his cross into the goal and equalized (48').

Kiteishvili took on a cross by Huspek with a header but Patrick Pentz was on the spot and turned the ball over the bar (50'). Ewandro shot past the far pole (57'), shortly after Stefan Hierländer had to leave the field after an elbow check against Friesenbichler (61'). In the 63^rd minute, Ewandro passed to Ebner, the midfielder missed the goal with a shot while falling.

For the final phase Thomas Letsch brought Christoph Monschein for Ewandro into the game. A shot by Grünwald from ambush was fought off by Siebenhandl (77'), a free-kick by the captain from 18 meters went over the goal (80'). Florian Klein failed from close range again on Sturm’s goalkeeper (86').

Austria Wien was dominant, but the ball just didn’t make it into the goal. Already during stoppage time Alexander Grünwald had to leave the pitch because of a shoulder injury, Manprit Sarkaria replaced the captain. The score didn’t change anymore, a lively game ended with a fair 1-1.

FK Austria Wien - SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz 1-1 (0-1)

Austria: Pentz; Klein, Schoissengeyr, Igor, Cuevas (46. Ebner); Grünwald (90.+3 Sarkaria), Jeggo, Matić; Ewandro (72. Monschein), Friesenbichler, Prokop
Sturm: Siebenhandl; Koch, Spendlhofer, Maresic, Hierländer; Lackner; Huspek (90.+6 Lovric), Zulj, Kiteishvili (65. Schrammel), Grozurek; Hosiner (72. Eze)

Goals: Friesenbichler (48.); Zulj (8.)

Yellow: Cuevas (32.); Hierländer (26.), Koch (39.), Spendlhofer (79.)

Yellow-Red: Hierländer (61.)

Generali-Arena, Referee Manuel Schüttengruber, 11,265 spectators

Lieber Austria-Fan,
der Inhalt des heutigen Austria Wien-Newsletters

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» Die nächsten Spiele & Termine der Veilchen

Bundesliga:
12. Runde, 27.10.2018, 17:00 Uhr, FC Wacker Innsbruck - FK Austria Wien (Alle Infos >>)
13. Runde, 04.11.2018, 14:30 Uhr, FK Austria Wien - RZ Pellets WAC (Alle Infos >>)
14. Runde, 11.11.2018, 17:00 Uhr, FK Austria Wien - FC Red Bull Salzburg (Alle Infos >>)

ÖFB Cup:
3. Runde, 30.10.2018, 20:20 Uhr, FK Austria Wien - FAC Wien

2. Liga
12. Runde, 26.10.2018, 19:10 Uhr, Young Violets Austria Wien - FC Blau Weiss Linz
13. Runde, 03.11.2018, 14:30 Uhr, FC Wacker Innsbruck II - Young Violets Austria Wien
14. Runde, 09.11.2018, 19:10 Uhr, FAC Wien - Young Violets Austria Wien