ADMIRAL Bundesliga Matchday 22 Reviews

LASK 0-1 FC Red Bull Salzburg

Defending ADMIRAL Bundesliga champions Red Bull Salzburg will start the Championship Group as leaders after a 26-second goal from Brazilian striker Fernando proved to be the decisive moment on Saturday evening against LASK.

In front of 14,800 fans at Raiffeisen Arena, Salzburg took the early lead with Oscar Gloukh finding plenty of space in the midfield to play in Amar Dedic on the right side, the Bosnian full-back then delivered an inch perfect assist into the middle where Fernando simply couldn’t miss. Despite the early setback, LASK attempted to get back into the game and came close via Lenny Pintor and Marin Ljubicic, the latter firing wide from a promising position (19’). Moses Usor and Sascha Horvath were both denied too by ex-LASK keeper Alex Schlager.

In the second half, the two traded opportunities - most notably with Tobias Lawal diving at Fernando’s feet (65’) - but in the end Salzburg held on with ease to secure a 26th away game in a row without defeat, whilst the Linzers head into the Championship Group without a competitive win in 2024 thus far. LASK remain winless against the Red Bulls in ten league home games, but they will get another opportunity over the coming weeks.

RZ Pellets WAC 1-1 CASHPOINT SCR Altach

The regular season came to an end for RZ Pellets WAC and CASHPOINT SCR Altach as they shared the points at the Lavanttal Arena, with both clubs soon to be meeting again in the Qualification Group.

Manfred Schmid’s side took an early lead with Augustine Boakye brilliantly finishing in the bottom corner from outside the area after dispatching two Altach defenders in his build-up run. The return answer from Altach was almost instantaneous as Vesel Demaku replied six minutes later by capitalising on a defensive error and then lashing into a left foot attempt into the back of the net. Boakye and Atdhe Nuhiu traded chances before the break, with Nuhiu missing the best chance of the second half from three metres out.

With the points shared, Wolfsberg will begin the Qualification Group in second place whilst Altach will start one place, but six points, behind the Wolves in the table.

SK Austria Klagenfurt 1-1 SK Rapid Vienna

It was a draw to be celebrated by both sides at the 28 Black Arena as both SK Austria Klagenfurt and SK Rapid secured their places in the Championship Group - at the expense of FK Austria Wien - by sharing the points by the Wörthersee.

The hosts started in the ascendancy with Nicolas Binder forcing Rapid keeper Niklas Hedl to save onto the crossbar with the first major chance (21’), this was quickly followed by Hedl saving brilliantly down low to deny a certain own goal and then to keep out Nicolas Wimmer’s strongly placed header (30’). Hedl’s brilliance paid off as Rapid burst down the other end with Fally Mayulu who danced majestically through the Klagenfurt defence to set up Christoph Lang to finish in front of an empty goal. With 17 minutes remaining on the clock, and their Championship Group hopes fading, Aaron Sky Schwarz delivered a superb pass to substitute Christopher Wernitznig who defeated Hedl at last to equalise for Klagenfurt - but only after a nervous VAR check for the Carinthians.

With that draw, both sides qualified for the Championship Group. Rapid at the expense of their great city rivals, and a third consecutive season of top-six football for Austria Klagenfurt to continue their 100% streak of qualifying since their promotion.

FK Austria Vienna 2-0 WSG Tirol

FK Austria Vienna boss Michael Wimmer said he had “never experienced a more bitter victory” as, despite a Dominik Fitz double to secure the victory at the Generali Arena, the Violets missed out on a Championship Group by the barest of margins.

Austria had to win and hoped that results went their way, but their efforts took a dent on the half hour mark with a penalty given to WSG Tirol by referee Jakob Semler. However, at the crucial moment, Christoph Früchtl saved Nik Prelec’s penalty to his right side. Only ten minutes later, it was Austria’s turn from the spot after Lukas Sulzbacher clearly handled the ball. From the resulting attempt Fitz made no mistake and fired it into the top corner (41’). In the second half, WSG came inches from equalising with Dominik Stumberger’s header rebounding off the crossbar (69’). As news of Klagenfirt’s equaliser reached Vienna’s 10th District, the Violets were awarded another penalty that was initially missed but on the second attempt Fitz made no mistake (87’).

Despite completing their obligations and finishing only two points behind third placed LASK, FK Austria Wien had to settle for the Qualification Group at the top of the standings.

SC Austria Lustenau 2-0 FC Blau Weiß Linz

Austria Lustenau saved the best till last with only their second win of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga season, and their first home victory in the league since June 2nd. A strike on the hour from Anderson and an injury time clincher from Leo Mikic sent the home fans wild as they celebrated the first three points at their temporary home in Bregenz.

In the pouring rain by Lake Constance, it was the visitors from Linz who had the significantly better chances in the first half with Ronivaldo narrowly missing a header, Marco Krainz forcing a good save from distance and Simon Seidl blasting over in a one-to-one situation (30’). After failing to capitalise on their attacking prowess, Lustenau struck first on the hour mark with Brazilian midfielder Anderson powering a header through the hands of Blau Weiß keeper Nicolas Schmid for the lead. As the clock ticked down the Vorarlberg side’s keeper Domenik Schierl was called into action with a crucial diving save to deny Alem Pasic (79’).

It was vital, as the game entered stoppage time Mikic was played through all by himself and finished with aplomb to send the home fans into rapture (90+1’). The Vorarlbergers will begin the Qualification Group bottom, but after this performance they will head into the final 10 games with hope of a great escape.

TSV Egger Glas Hartberg 1-1 SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz

After their UEFA Europa Conference League defeat against Lille on Thursday, it was a Styrian Derby for Sturm Graz on the final day of the regular season as TSV Hartberg needed a point to ensure their Championship Group place.

The visitors, hoping to keep up their title chasing form, had the first major chance of the game with Otar Kiteishvili’s superb half-volley forcing a wonderful save from Raphael Sallinger (14’). On the half hour mark, Sturm took the lead via a route one ball from goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros that caused confusion between Sallinger and Manuel Pfeifer allowing William Boving to roll the ball into the empty net. Hartberg fought back in the second half and were rewarded with a stunning free-kick from the left by Donis Avdijaj that snuck inside the near post to beat Jaros (69’).

With that draw, Hartberg secured their place in the Championship Group for the first time since 2020 and are now unbeaten in eight league home games. For Sturm Graz, they will begin the final stretch of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga season only two points behind leaders Red Bull Salzburg as the title race hots up.

Redakteur: The Other Bundesliga

Fotos: GEPA pictures