Blau-Weiß Linz lost to Wiener Austria

Vienna Austria finished the qualifying group of the Bundesliga in second place. The favorites achieved a well-deserved 2-1 win against newly promoted Blau-Weiß Linz on Saturday at interim coach Christian Wegleitner’s debut in the last round, but remained two points behind WAC, who won against WSG Tirol 3-1. This means that the Viennese have to play away in the Lavanttal in the semi-finals of the league’s European Cup play-off on Tuesday (7 p.m.).

Austria converted their superiority into goals from Dominik Fitz (12th/penalty) and Alexander Schmidt (54th) and, after four winless games with three defeats, once again made their mark. The Linzers were feeling a bit out of breath at times, but thanks to a goal from Simon Pirkl (78th), an exciting final phase was still ensured. Despite the defeat, they can look back on a satisfactory debut season in the upper house thanks to third place. For the Viennese or the WAC, the last international starting place will be in the play-off final against Hartberg or Austria Klagenfurt on May 24th and 28th.

The Viennese dictated the action from the start with Schmidt, who was new to the starting line-up. Reinhold Ranftl hit the bar (2nd), Fitz was denied by Nicolas Schmid, who reacted brilliantly (3rd). On the other hand, a shot from Pirkl was blocked (5th), otherwise there was almost nothing to be seen offensively in the first 45 minutes without the ailing one-striker Ronivaldo. Frans Krätzig also found his master in Schmid for the Viennese (8th). Four minutes later, Fitz confidently converted a penalty after Johannes Handl was hit on the foot by Lukas Tursch in the penalty area.

After that, the guests lacked efficiency several times. Fitz (19th) and Fisnik Asllani (20th) were unable to overcome Schmid, a Schmidt header went wide (27th). As a result, Ranftl even missed a great double chance, first failing at the BW goalie and then not hitting the almost empty goal (39th). In stoppage time, Austria goalkeeper Christian Früchtl had to be on the post for the first time when Maranda shot from a long distance.

After the restart, the supposed final preliminary decision in the first game after Michael Wimmer’s departure as coach was quickly made. Fitz moved towards Schmid and unselfishly played across to Schmidt, who had no trouble getting the ball into the empty goal from close range. In return, Conor Noß missed the goal (56th). The Viennese continued to set the tone. Schmid fished a Gruber free kick with a brilliant save from the Kreuzeck (69th).

Almost out of nowhere, the home team came back again. After Dobras’s hole pass, Pirkl was initially denied by Früchtl, but pushed the follow-up shot into the empty box. In almost the last action, Mehmet Ibrahimi was only centimeters away from a shot, meaning the hosts almost took home a flattering point.