0-1 defeat in the home game against Hartberg

After the good performance in Salzburg, Peter Stöger did not make any changes to his starting line-up, Marco Djuricin made his debut on the bench.

Hartberg had a two week break due to a game cancellation and the early exit in the Cup, coach Markus Schopp made five changes compared to the last game against Red Bull Salzburg at the end of January. Florian Flecker returned to Hartberg after a season and a half in Germany and started on the left wing. Lukas Riedder started in the center instead of Rajko, behind Dario Dadic. Thomas Rotter and Andreas Lienhart were new to the team in the back four.

0-1 for Hartberg during the first half

The home team had the first chances, Andreas Poulsen fired a shot in the first minute, but it went over the goal. Shortly after Thomas Ebner appeared in front of goalkeeper Rene Swete, his cross to Aleksandar Jukić wasn’t precise enough (4’). Unfortunately, Hartberg scored the opening goal in the Generali-Arena: Florian Flecker took on a header by Christoph Schösswendter, he went around Patrick Pentz and scored the 0-1 (22’).

Austria Wien was not able to find their way into the game, chances on both sides were scarce. Ball possession was balanced, Austria Wien won more duels.

The equalizer was close

Both coaches did not make any change during the break, Austria Wien had the first chance again. A cross by Manprit Sarkaria dipped dangerously towards the second pole, Rene Swete was on the spot (50’).

A header by Flecker went next to the goal (56’). After an hour Andreas Poulsen had to leave the field because of an injury, Dominik Fitz came into the game. Agim Zeka replaced Thomas Ebner. Stephan Zwierschitz switched to the left, Georg Teigl moved to the back four. Sarkaria narrowly missed a cross by Zeka (63’). Benedikt Pichler had a chance after a cross by Zwierschitz, Manfred Gollner prevented the finish (67’). Agim Zeka made his way through the middle, Dominik Fitz failed on Swete (69’).

Patrick Wimmer came for Stephan Zwierschitz, Marco Djuricin also made his debut for Austria Wien in the final minutes. Thomas Rotter headed the ball next to the goal after a corner by Dario Tadic (76’), Benedikt Pichler had the best chance for Austria Wien. Rene Swete prevented the 1-1 (78’) with a great save. Zeka tried from a distance, but his shot was too weak (90’). Felix Luckeneder cleared a dangerous cross by Sarkaria (90’+5’), Austria Wien had to admit defeat against Hartberg 0-1.

FK Austria Wien - TSV Prolactal Hartberg 0-1 (0-1)

Austria Wien: Pentz; Zwierschitz (68’ Wimmer), Schösswendter, Palmer-Brown, Poulsen (57’ Fitz); Ebner (57’ Zeka), Martel; Teigl, Jukić (77’ Djuricin), Sarkaria; Pichler

Hartberg: Swete; Lienhart, Rotter, Luckeneder, Gollner; Kainz, Nimaga; Horvath (63’ Rakowitz), Ried (73’ Heil), Flecker; Tadic (89’ Chabbi)

Goal: Flecker (22’)

Yellow cards: Ebner (19'’, Martel (37’), Schösswendter (84’); Gollner (33’), Heil (84’), Palmer-Brown (90’+2’)

Generali-Arena, referee Walter Altmann, no spectators due to the COVID-19 regulation