FC Blau-Weiß Linz had a dream start to the new Bundesliga season: Coach Gerald Scheiblehner’s team beat Wiener Austria 1-0 thanks to a substitute goal by Simon Seidl (78′). “We are delighted that we managed such a start. It was a very mature performance from my team,” said Blau-Weiß coach Scheiblehner.
But the secret hero was a player who wasn’t involved in the opening goal: new signing Anderson saved the ball off the line with a spectacular overhead kick – even after a VAR check. In the Brazilian duel with Austria’s Cristiano, he was the big winner: the Violets’ striker appeared completely free in front of BW goalie Nicolas Schmid, who would have already been beaten after a lob.
“That’s why we brought in Brazilians who have this body control,” says Scheiblehner with a grin. “The scene also symbolized the fact that we didn’t want to concede a goal.”
Right-back Anderson was not the only new man in the blue-white starting eleven: Martin Moormann made his league debut in the Linz jersey in the position of left center-back, and Thomas Goiginger celebrated his comeback in the offensive for the steel city club. There was also a new captain: because Fabio Strauss was absent due to a shoulder injury, fellow defender Manuel Maranda wore the armband.
The first top chance belonged to the home team: Alem Pasic’s header had the blue and white fans celebrating their first goal of the season in the second minute – the midfielder failed to score from two meters and hit the crossbar.
After a strong start, the Violets came into the game better: Goalie Schmid had to intervene for the first time when Andreas Gruber shot (8th minute), and Nik Prelec’s shots (19th, 27th minute) were blocked by the legs of the blue and white back line. Things got tighter again on the other side in the 23rd minute: The home team were dangerous again after a corner, Ronivaldo headed over from close range.
Schmid saw Seidl – 1:0
The second half began like the first – with a top chance for the home team: Goiginger had played substitute Lukas Ibertsberger well free, whose shot found Conor Noß: The 23-year-old missed from close range, hitting the outside post. Austria keeper Samuel Sahin-Radlinger had no chance of defending. Then the game lost some of its momentum – until the final quarter of an hour: In the 77th minute, Moormann failed with a header, but a minute later the blue-white fans were able to celebrate.
Curious: Blue-White goalkeeper Schmid had served joker Simon Seidl with an unbelievable long ball across half the field, who remained completely cool in front of the goal – 1:0. “I know how well he can play these balls. I tried to go into the interface, so it was even better that the ball then came exactly right,” said gold goal scorer Seidl, who is currently also getting used to the joker role: “I play for the team, will always accept the line-up. If I keep pushing like this, I will play from the start again.”
ePaper
