Vienna Austria completed the qualifying group of the Bundesliga in second place. The favorites achieved a well-deserved 2-1 win in opposition to newly promoted Blau-Weiß Linz on Saturday at interim coach Christian Wegleitner’s debut within the final spherical, however remained two factors behind WAC, who received in opposition to WSG Tirol 3-1. Because of this the Viennese should play away within the Lavanttal within the semi-finals of the league’s European Cup play-off on Tuesday (7 p.m.).
Austria transformed their superiority into objectives from Dominik Fitz (twelfth/penalty) and Alexander Schmidt (54th) and, following 4 winless video games with three defeats, as soon as once more made their mark. The Linzers have been feeling a bit out of breath at occasions, however due to a aim from Simon Pirkl (78th), an thrilling closing part was nonetheless ensured. Regardless of the defeat, they will look once more on a passable debut season within the higher home thanks to 3rd place. For the Viennese or the WAC, the final worldwide beginning place will likely be within the play-off closing in opposition to Hartberg or Austria Klagenfurt on Might twenty fourth and twenty eighth.
The Viennese dictated the motion from the beginning with Schmidt, who was new to the beginning line-up. Reinhold Ranftl hit the bar (2nd), Fitz was denied by Nicolas Schmid, who reacted brilliantly (third). Alternatively, a shot from Pirkl was blocked (fifth), in any other case there was nearly nothing to be seen offensively within the first 45 minutes with out the ailing one-striker Ronivaldo. Frans Krätzig additionally discovered his grasp in Schmid for the Viennese (eighth). 4 minutes later, Fitz confidently transformed a penalty following Johannes Handl was hit on the foot by Lukas Tursch within the penalty space.
After that, the company lacked effectivity a number of occasions. Fitz (nineteenth) and Fisnik Asllani (twentieth) have been unable to beat Schmid, a Schmidt header went large (twenty seventh). Because of this, Ranftl even missed an awesome double probability, first failing on the BW goalie following which not hitting the virtually empty aim (thirty ninth). In stoppage time, Austria goalkeeper Christian Früchtl needed to be on the submit for the primary time when Maranda shot from a protracted distance.
After the restart, the supposed closing preliminary choice within the first recreation following Michael Wimmer’s departure as coach was shortly made. Fitz moved in direction of Schmid and unselfishly performed throughout to Schmidt, who had no hassle getting the ball into the empty aim from shut vary. Virtually in return, Conor Noß missed the aim (56th). The Viennese continued to set the tone. Schmid fished a Gruber free kick with an excellent save from the Kreuzeck (69th).
Virtually out of nowhere, the house workforce got here once more once more. After Dobras’s gap go, Pirkl was initially denied by Früchtl, however pushed the follow-up shot into the empty field. In nearly the final motion, Mehmet Ibrahimi was solely centimeters away from a shot, that means the hosts nearly took residence a flattering level.
