Bundesliga catch-up game: Klagenfurt and Hartberg drew 1-1

After Jürgen Heil was shown a yellow-red card (66′), the Styrians failed to extend their 1-0 lead after Rico Benatelli’s own goal (56′). Nicolas Binder managed to score a well-deserved equalizer for the home team in the finish (79′).

Hartberg swung the baton at the start of the game, which was postponed from Saturday due to snowfall, and also had his first opportunities. Solo striker Maximilian Entrup first aimed past the far corner (8′), later Klagenfurt goalie Phillip Menzel had to save from Christoph Lang (16′). The hosts recovered in front of a sparsely occupied stands (1,623) and had two notable chances before the break. Once Heil cleared Sinan Karweina’s lob over Raphael Sallinger on the line, in the next action Sallinger was the winner against Florian Jaritz (21st).

A now open game picked up a bit of momentum after the break. The reason for this was not least the unfortunate deficit that the Carinthians fell behind. After a long pass to Ruben Providence, the situation seemed to be defused. But instead of clearing the ball properly, Benatelli poked the ball past Menzel into his own goal. Ten minutes later, Heil weakened the guests with an unnecessary swerve into the penalty area, who came under increasing pressure towards the end.

In the 79th minute, Hartberg actually gave in: Sallinger was able to parry a Jaritz Köpfler from short distance, but he was powerless when the Binder was dusted. Klagenfurt put together a power play at the end, but were ultimately unsuccessful in their search for the winning goal.