2-0 against WAC: Blau-Weiß celebrates their first Bundesliga home win

October 28, 2023 is a day for the blue and white history books: FC Blau-Weiß Linz celebrated its first Bundesliga home win since the club was founded in 1997 with a 2-0 win against Wolfsberger AC in the Bundesliga this Saturday – and This also means the first threesome in the new Hofmann Personal Stadium.

With Manuel Maranda, of all people, it was a defender who ensured a perfect start: After a deflected free kick from Marco Krainz, Julian Gölles extended the ball into the danger area, where Blue and White defense chief Maranda was perfectly positioned.

Coach Gerald Scheiblehner’s team remained in control after the opening goal: Simon Seidl, who made his debut in the Bundesliga for the first time, was denied by WAC goalie Hendrik Bonmann in the 19th minute. The Carinthian goalkeeper was also there at the last second in the 45th minute: BW striker Ronivaldo had cleverly put the ball past his opponent, but Bonmann prevented it from making it 2-0. Shortly before the half-time whistle, the Linzers were lucky: With one of the last actions in the first half, the home team ran into a counterattack, BW goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid saved with a foot save against Florian Rieder, who was completely alone.

VAR prevented an equalizer

A moment that woke up the previously weak “Wolves”: From half time onwards, the guests took command. In particular, the WAC strike duo of Mohamed Bamba and Augustine Boakye were unable to get the Blue-White under control several times: in a co-production, the former narrowly missed from a few meters in the 60th minute.

In the 77th minute the ball was even in the goal: Simon Piesinger shot the ball into the net from a few meters after a corner – and celebrated the supposed equalizer. It was only after minutes of VAR study that a handball decision was made. Tricky, but deserved in the end.

Mensah hits from 45 meters

It was the scene that Blue and White needed: With their first Bundesliga home win in mind, the 4,200 fans pushed their team forward once again. Substitute Stefan Holiday (89th) even scored another goal in the finish – but referee Christian-Petru Ciochirca ruled that Conor Noß was fouled in the early stages.

The decisive goal was still achieved practically with the last action: Wolfsberg had thrown everything forward, and goalkeeper Bonmann was also in the opponent’s box. Blue and White took advantage of this coldly: In return, the Scheiblehner team released Paul Mensah, who shot from 45 meters – the ball floundered in the net – and the Donauparkstadion finally became a madhouse. A few seconds later – exactly at 6:52 p.m. – it was official: Blau-Weiß celebrated the first Bundesliga home win in the club’s history.