Close defeat against LASK

Shortly before the break, Andreas Gruber scored the only goal of the game, Austria Wien had a few opportunities to equalize, especially in the final phase, and also offered an appealing fighting performance.

Peter Stöger started against LASK in a 4-1-4-1 system, Markus Suttner was unfortunately injured. Christoph Martschinko started on the left in the back four next to Stephan Zwierschitz, Michael Madl and Maudo Jarjué. Thomas Ebner started in the defensive midfield and with Benedikt Pichler, Manprit Sarkaria, Max Sax, Patrick Wimmer and Christoph Monschein, Stöger brought five offensive forces.

LASK was able to prevail 3-0 against ASV Siegendorf in the ÖFB Cup under the new coach Dominik Thalhammer. Newcomer Andreas Gruber started up front, otherwise the “Violets” played against the well-known team from the previous season.

Narrow lead for LASK before the break

Both teams started ambitiously into the official opening game of the tipico Bundesliga season 2020/21. Manprit Sarkaria hit the side netting with a free kick in the third minute. For LASK, Husein Balic made his way through on the left, but his cross found no taker (7’). Reinhold Ranftl tried it from the other side, in the middle Gruber and Balic (14’) missed. A long-range shot from Balic brushed the pole (22’).

The home team was dominant in the beginning, after a corner from Peter Michorl, Gernot Trauner had the next chance to score. Patrick Pentz defused the central defender's dangerous header (29’). Austria Wien countered via Sarkaria; Christoph Monschein failed against Alexander Schlager (35’). After the next corner, a remarkable volley by Benedikt Pichler just missed the second pole (36’). Unfortunately, LASK scored the opening goal shortly before the break, Andreas Gruber scored the 1-0 with a header after a free kick from Michorl (43’).

The “Violets” were not able to equalize

The second half began with a chance for Austria Wien: Philipp Wiesinger made the save against Monschein after a mistake by Trauner (46’). Then it was LASK's turn again in this very intense game. Patrick Pentz cleared against Ranftl, Stephan Zwierschitz blocked a shot from Marko Raguz (59’, 61’).

After an hour, Peter Stöger brought in Alexander Grünwald and newcomer Georg Teigl for Max Sax and Christoph Martschinko. Pentz remained the winner again against Ranftl (73’), before that Benedikt Pichler missed a great opportunity (76’). For the closing stages, Aleksandar Jukić and Bright Edomwonyi came into the game for Thomas Ebner and Patrick Wimmer.

The final phase belonged to the “Violets”, in the 85^th minute they had a double chance to equalize: Schlager parried a good shot by Monschein, after the following corner Maudo Jarjué had a great opportunity with a header, but the ball went over the goal. Georg Teigl tried a long shot, Schlager was on the spot (89’). A shot by Monschein was blocked by Andrade, after the corner Pichler had the last chance of the game (90’+3’). Unfortunately, the “Violets” had to return to Vienna without any points.

LASK - FK Austria Wien 1-0 (1-0)

LASK: Schlager; Wiesinger, Trauner, Filipovic (77’ Andrade); Ranftl, Holland (37’ Grgic), Michorl, Renner; Gruber (71’ Reiter), Raguz, Balic

Austria Wien: Pentz; Zwierschitz, Madl, Jarjué, Martschinko (62’ Teigl); Ebner (80’ Jukić); Pichler, Sarkaria, Sax (62’ Grünwald), Wimmer (80’ Edomwonyi); Monschein

Goal: Gruber (43’)

Yellow cards: Renner (8’), Wiesinger (25’), Michorl (65’); Zwierschitz (42’), Sax (58’)

Stadium of the City of Linz, referee Sebastian Gishamer, 6,400 spectators