The Carinthians fought a 1-0 (1-0) win against Norwegian leaders Molde in the first leg of the play-off. Tai Baribo put coach Robin Dutt’s side ahead against the flow of play in the 22nd minute. In the following defensive battle, Molde despaired of goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann and the lack of penetration.
The second leg will take place next Thursday (7:00 p.m.) in Klagenfurt. Masters the WAC this hurdle, he is in a European Cup group stage for the third time after 2019 and 2020. A million extra income of over three million euros excluding match day income would be fixed.
WAC-Goalie Bonmann was warmed up early on, but Raphael Schifferrl thwarted the greatest chance at first. The defender just blocked a shot from Ola Brynhildsen in the center (7′). Molde dictated what happened, after 20 minutes it was 6-0 in corner kicks, but the most important statistics were correct from the 22nd minute from a Carinthian point of view: After a precise shot by Bonmann to Röcher, Röcher found Baribo’s head with a cross. The Dutt team was able to celebrate the successful needlestick over three stations.
Nothing changed in the direction of play on the Norwegian artificial turf: Molde’s offensive department around play designer Magnus Wolff Eikrem and the lightning-fast striker David Fofana provided it WAC-Defensive from worse problems. In the 26th minute, Fofana hurried, but the 19-year-old Ivorian lobbed Bonmann just wide of the goal (26′). Dominik Baumgartner corrected a dangerous excursion by the keeper with his save with a header (31st). When Sivert Mannsverk headed the ball, the German goalkeeper was well positioned again (36′).
After the change of sides, the pole and Bonmann prevented the equalizer. Fofana extended his long leg after Eikrem’s cross, but after the “Gurkerl” for Bonmann the artificial leather landed on the left post (48th). Kristoffer Haugan missed the next top-class player with a shot into the side netting (52′). Wolff-Eikrem forced Bonmann to make another flight (55′), but had to leave the field shortly afterwards.
Molde’s pacemaker had recently struggled with calf problems – and then the four-time champion was missing at every nook and corner. In front of only 4,761 spectators, the slightly favored home team could hardly think of anything else and the WAC gratefully accepted the relapse for his away win.
Source: Nachrichten
