Image: GEPA pictures/ Armin Rauthner (GEPA pictures)
Austria Vienna laid a very good basis for promotion to the play-off of the Europa Conference League: The Viennese won the first leg of the third qualifying round at Legia Warsaw 2-1 (1-0). Thanks to a brace from Muharem Huskovic (11′, 56′), Austria have all the trumps in their home game next Thursday (7 p.m.).
Huskovic only made his starting XI debut against Lustenau at the weekend after his serious car accident last October. He ran as a central striker in Warsaw and became the match winner. In top scorer style, the 20-year-old gave Austria the lead after a cross from Dominik Fitz and also scored to make it 2-0 after a cross from Manuel Polster.
Coach Michael Wimmer surprised with the line-up: Manfred Fischer, who had played all five competitive games so far, was only on the bench for the time being. Even without the regular captain, the Violets implemented their promise to be courageous and work well against the ball very well.
The early attack quickly brought success: After a bad pass from Juergen Elitim in his own penalty area, Fitz Huskovic served ideally, the 20-year-old only needed to push in for his first European Cup goal. Reinhold Ranftl and Huskovic (16th each) had good chances to make it 2-0 before the Polish runner-up and record champion also became a threat.
Goalkeeper Christian Früchtl saved the lead several times, especially when Pawel Wszolek fired a shot from ten meters out, but Früchtl was able to clear with a foot defense (33′). Austria were also lucky shortly before the break when referee Pierre Gaillouste did not classify a tackle by Lucas Galvao in the penalty area from behind against Wszolek as a foul.
Legia made the game after the break, but Austria, who had to replace defender Tin Plavotic in the early minutes, were mostly secure on the defensive. The Wimmer-Elf attacked again and again and was successful with it. Huskovic headed in a cross from the cushion that had been substituted during the break to make it 2-0.
Late goal conceded as a blemish
Warsaw then intensified their offensive efforts again and put the guests under pressure, but Pekhart missed (57′, 79′) and the excellent Früchtl was once again on the post (57′, 77′). On the other side, Silva Kani ran alone to the home goal, but failed (86th). It was to take revenge: Ernest Muci gave the Poles more hope with his header to make it 2-1 (87th).
Nevertheless, Austria has the best chance of winning the third duel with Legia after 2004 and 2006. Should they succeed, they will face Denmark’s FC Midtjylland or Omonia Nicosia on 24 and 31 August for a place in the group stage. Omonia won the first leg on Cyprus 1-0. The winner of the play-off duel plays in the group stage.
Source: Nachrichten
