Blau-Weiß Linz stormed to the top: After the victory in Altach, Linz are now one point ahead of champions Sturm Graz and two ahead of Rapid, but have played two games or one game more than their pursuers, who are not in action until Sunday.
Blau-Weiß coach Gerald Scheiblehner was forced to change the starting eleven for the derby victory against LASK (1:0) in one position: Andeas Lukse replaced the injured goalkeeper Radek Vitek. He had to step in for the first time when a rescue attempt by defender Fabio Strauss backfired (25′).
Sixth goal by Ronivaldo
Linz took the lead with their first shot on goal shortly after the break. After a beautifully played transition, Simon Seidl served center forward Ronivaldo, who placed the ball from just outside the penalty area and sank it into the right corner. For the 35-year-old, it was the sixth goal in the last five league games in which he has always scored. He thus moved level with Altach’s Gustavo Santos at the top of the scorers’ list.
In the previous season, Ronivaldo scored four times against Altach. The Brazilian-born player had won the last duel in April with a brace (2:1). The veteran could have scored again this time, but he was unable to get through after a pass from Thomas Goiginger (60′). Santos hit the right post with a trick shot from an extremely tight angle (63′).
On the other side, substitute Alexander Schmidt missed two great chances to make it 2-0 (72nd, 80th). Altach’s goalkeeper Ammar Helac also defused a shot from Soumaila Diabate (80th), and Altach’s Paul Koller shot just over the goal in the last action (93rd).
Blau-Weiß Linz held on to the lead until the end. After the final whistle, the first away win of the season was celebrated – and the surprising lead in the table.
