0-1 defeat in Graz

Caretaker coach Robert Ibertsberger set up his first starting line-up in a 3-4-3 system. Patrick Pentz in the goal, in the defence Michael Madl, Alexandar Borković and Igor. In midfield Florian Klein, captain Alexander Grünwald, Jimmy Jeggo and Cristián Cuevas. Maximilian Sax, Bright Edomwonyi and Christoph Monschein started up front.

For Sturm Graz the championship group was at stake. Coach Roman Mählich made one change after the 0-0 against Red Bull Salzburg: Lukas Grozurek began up front instead of Emeka Eze.

No goals, but a red card for Cuevas

Sturm Graz had the first chance of the game, Patrick Pentz saved a shot by Philipp Huspek, who emerged alone in front of the goal after a pass by Otar Kiteishvili (4'). On the other side Michael Madl made the first attempt for Austria with a header after a corner by Alexander Grünwald, but the ball went past the second post (21'). Then Patrick Pentz was back in the spotlight, he prevented the lead for Graz with great saves against Grozurek and Kiteishvili (26', 28'). Cristián Cuevas saw a red card after an elbow check against Sandi Lovric and Austria Wien was outnumbered after 31 minutes.

A shot by Dario Maresic went over the goal (45'), the violet defence had Sturm Graz under control even after the suspension. The first half ended without goals.

Grozurek scored for Sturm’s victory

The second half began with a free-kick by Grünwald, Alexandar Borković gave a shot, but he did not hit the ball clearly (47'). On the other hand, Kiteishvili missed a chance after a nice move by the home team (48') and Lovric's shot was deflected to the corner (52'). Sturm pushed for the lead, which they gained after 55 minutes: Huspek with a crucial wide ball to Grozurek, who scored the 1-0.

Sturm Graz was under control after the lead, Austria Wien had barely offensive scenes. Vesel Demaku replaced Alexander Grünwald, Dominik Prokop came into the game for Max Sax. Shortly before completion Madl headed the ball after a corner by Prokop, but Jörg Siebenhandl caught the ball just before the line (85'). Alon Turgeman replaced Edomwonyi during the final minutes. A shot by Demaku was deflected to the corner (87'). No more goals during the last minutes and Austria Wien lost 0-1 against Graz at the end of the regular season.

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

Sturm Graz: Siebenhandl; Koch, Spendlhofer, Maresic; Hierländer, Lovric (90’+1’ Schrammel), Ljubic, Mensah; Huspek (90’ Dominguez), Grozurek, Kiteishvili (81’ Jantscher)

Austria Wien: Pentz; Madl, Borkovic, Igor; Klein, Grünwald (65' Demaku), Jeggo, Cuevas; Sax (80' Prokop), Edomwonyi (85' Turgeman), Monschein

Goals: Grozurek (55')

Yellow cards: none

Red card: Cuevas (31')

Merkur Arena, referee Robert Schörgenhofer, 14,643 spectators

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

» Austria startet in Salzburg in die Meistergruppe
» Pentz und Prokop über U21-EM und Träume
» Austria ist Klasse.
» Austria Wien als Wohltäter für Hochwasser-Opfer
» Die nächsten Spiele & Termine der Veilchen

Bundesliga:
23. Runde, 31.03.2019, 17:00 Uhr, FC Red Bull Salzburg - FK Austria Wien (Alle Infos >>)
24. Runde, 07.04.2019, 14:30 Uhr, FK Austria Wien - SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz (Alle Infos >>)
25. Runde, 14.04.2019, 14:30 Uhr, RZ Pellets WAC - FK Austria Wien (Alle Infos >>)

2. Liga
20. Runde, 29.03.2019, 19:10 Uhr, SV Licht-Loidl Lafnitz - Young Violets Austria Wien
21. Runde, 05.04.2019, 19:10 Uhr, Young Violets Austria Wien - SK Austria Klagenfurt
22. Runde, 12.04.2019, 19:10 Uhr, FC Pasching - Young Violets Austria Wien