2:1! Relegation is now very close for Blue and White

FC Blau-Weiß Linz is taking a giant step towards staying in the league: With the 2-1 (0-1) win in the Bundesliga qualifying group against Altach, coach Gerald Scheiblehner’s team built up a lead over Lustenau (1-2 against Wolfsberg). eight points. “That’s a huge cushion now. We’re back, it’s unbelievable. This win (the first since the 2-0 in the derby against LASK on November 12th, note) was extremely important. We showed character,” said a delighted team Fabio Strauss.

Football can be so crazy: At halftime the Blue and White were down 0-1 and off track, after the final whistle the football world was back in order thanks to double goalscorer Ronivaldo. “A nice moment for us, the pressure was great. The first success of the calendar year inspires us. It’s nice that I was able to make my contribution,” said the 35-year-old striker.

It took the Upper Austrians a long time to process the shock of conceding an early goal after just 75 seconds. The home side’s last line was played far too easily; BW goalie Nicolas Schmid was unable to hold on to a shot from Lukas Fadinger – Mohamed Ouedraogo scored the goal – 0-1 (2nd).

That didn’t fit at all with the double injection of motivation that the Blue and White kickers had received 20 minutes before kick-off: During a fiery speech by a supporter’s leader, the WAC even scored the decisive 2-1 win against bottom team Lustenau, who are facing relegation.

For the Blue and Whites, staying in the league is within reach. Also because the “Jokers” stung. In the 61st minute, substitute Danilo Mitrovic headed the ball across, Ronivaldo was in the right place and pushed the ball over the line – 1-1. And at the finish, the 4,000 fans in the Donauparkstadion were finally on their heads: the strong Kristijan Dobras, who had also come after the break, devoured the Altach defense and was brought down in the penalty area. Of all people, Ronivaldo, who had recently been weak, stepped up – and with the ice-cold penalty (88th) he made his team dream of another season in the Bundesliga.