This is what a relegation battle looks like: In the 0-0 draw between FC Blau Weiß Linz and Austria Lustenau, two Bundesliga clubs met who fully embraced the relegation battle mentality.
The duels were tough, things went back and forth on the field. As soon as one team had the momentum on their side, the opponent fought back once more. The number of chances was limited – but both teams still had their chances to win the game. The 0-0 score was still logical – because no team took full risks.
Blue-White coach Gerald Scheiblehner had made four changes to the Blue-Whites compared to the 0-1 loss in Lustenau the previous week – partly out of necessity. Julian Gölles moved into the starting line-up for the Brazilian Luiz – for whom the season is known to be over. Alexander Briedl was given a place in the starting line-up for the suspended Tobias Koch. Fabio Strauss and Paul Mensah, who were recently suspended, were also there once more from the start.
The Blue-Whites started better without being able to convert possession into top chances. The Lustenauers – where ex-Ried player Leo Mikic was rewarded with a starting eleven place for his goal once morest Linz last week – were able to break away from the blue and white grip following the opening quarter of an hour. The first two chances from Grujcic (15th) and Bobzien (16th) were no problem for Blue and White keeper Nicolas Schmid. The same applied to Lustenau’s Schierl when Seidl shot (33′).
Great chance to make it 1-0
But the blue-whites had the best chance to make it 1-0: After an ideal assist from Ronivaldo, Julian Gölles appeared alone in front of Lustenau’s goalkeeper Dominik Schierl. The low shot into the left corner was also good – but somehow the Lustenau goalkeeper got hold of the low shot and cleared it for a corner. It turned out to be Linz’s best chance of the game (45′).
After an hour, despite the 4,300 spectators, it was very quiet in the Hofmann staff stadium. Blue and White player Lukas Tursch misjudged a cross to the second post. But goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid was able to clear in dire need and was able to clear Paterson Chato’s shot from close range for a corner.
The blue and white answered correctly. Ronivaldo shot from the edge of the penalty area – Lustenau’s goalkeeper Schierl turned the ball over the crossbar. However, a goal would probably not have counted because of offside (67th). With the chance for the lucky punch in the finish, Fabio Strauß narrowly missed the goal with his header into the left corner – Lustenau’s goalkeeper Schierl would have been beaten (89th).
In the end, both teams can probably live with the point. The Lustenauers because they played away, the Blue-Whites because they know Lustenau’s strength in the spring and were able to keep the gap to the bottom of the table at four points.
Author
Harald Bartl
Deputy Head of Sports Department
Harald Bartl
