Dario Tadic (25th) advanced the Styrians with a foul penalty, goals from Tai Baribo (42nd) just before the break as well as Konstantin Kerschbaumer (59th) and Thorsten Röcher (93rd) ensured the turnaround. After the third win in the last four rounds, WAC is sixth for the time being, Hartberg is tenth.
In Wolfsberg vs. Hartberg in the past, the away team was usually the winner. The East Styrians won three times in their previous five Bundesliga appearances in Lavanttal, coach Klaus Schmidt saw this as a good omen. This time he relied on Tadic in the center of the attack, Rene Swete and the recently suspended Matija Horvat returned to the starting lineup. After the success at Rapid, WAC coach Robin Dutt had no reason to change his team.
The game started with a touch. On the one hand, a chance by Dominik Frieser heated up the spirits – the winger frittered away, but was offside anyway (7th) – on the other hand Mario Leitgeb shot too unplaced after a corner kick (15th). The Hartberger lead was not apparent, but Matteo Anzolin brought Patrick Farkas down in the penalty area in the duel between the full-backs. The VAR analyzed for a long time, Tadic was finally allowed to take the penalty and converted safely.
The Wolfsbergers tried hard afterwards, but Hartberg vehemently compressed his own half of the game. An attack by Malone ripped open the Styrian back line, however, the in-form Augsburg loan found strike partner Baribo via the outside of his foot, who headed in with his third goal in the third game in a row to equalize.
The Wolfsbergers took the momentum into the second half. The strong Swete saved twice against Malone from eight yards (51 ‘) before he had to admit defeat after a staccato chance from the home side. Thierno Ballo and Baribo were initially denied by Hartberg’s goalkeeper, and Kerschbaumer’s follow-up shot into the far corner finally defeated Swete.
The WAC then gave the opponent more of the game. Simon Piesinger cleared before Tadic, for the visibly dissatisfied TSV attacker the game was over in the 67th minute. Even with fresh offensive forces, Hartberg was no longer able to force the equalizer. Swete prevented the third goal from a Schiffer header, but Röcher managed to do so after Malone’s preliminary work.
Source: Nachrichten
