Wiener Austria has secured the last European Cup ticket in the Bundesliga. Coach Peter Stöger’s squad prevailed 2-1 in the play-off final second leg at the WAC on Sunday and retained the upper hand 5-1 after the 3-0 home win. In this way, Patrick Pentz and Co. ensured a conciliatory end to a season that had been screwed up by missing the championship round. They entered the international scene in the 2nd qualifying round for the Conference League.
Manfred Schmid (trainer) and Manuel Ortlechner (sports director), who will soon take over the helm in important functions at Austria, are also delighted. Marco Djuricin, who was twice successful in the first leg, initiated the away win in the 24th minute with a converted foul penalty (24th). After the Carinthians equalized by Dejan Joveljic (25th), a red card from WAC midfielder Mario Leitgeb (35th) was decisive. After the break, “Joker” Christoph Monschein (68th) recorded the well-deserved success in Austria.
The WAC lost at home for the fourth time in a row and will have an international break this coming autumn after having participated in the European Cup for two seasons. That won’t please the German Robin Dutt, who will take over from interim coach Roman Stary next season.
Due to the comfortable lead, the Viennese weren’t forced to set big accents themselves. The WAC tried hard with returning Alexander Kofler in goal and was better than on Thursday, but also missed the necessary luck. Austria’s Georg Teigl fell in the running duel with Guram Giorbelidze in the penalty area and referee Alexander Harkam decided on a penalty – an extremely controversial decision. Djuricin did not miss the chance, hit powerful high in the middle.
Almost immediately after the kick-off, the Carinthians struck back, Joveljic equalized after Taferner’s pass. The second goal was prevented by Pentz, who fended off a Liendl free kick to the corner (32nd). Three minutes later, the home side weakened themselves unnecessarily. Leitgeb climbed Wimmer on the Achilles tendon from behind in the midline area and was rightly excluded.
After the restart, the Carinthians almost submitted. A Wernitznig cross from an acute angle fell over Pentz, but the crossbar saved the Austria goalie (47th). Otherwise, however, the Viennese were more dangerous, as the outnumbered hosts had to put everything on one card and this resulted in many rooms. Djuricin failed on the pole after unselfish Wimmer pass (54th). Monschein did his job better, who a few moments after his substitution after Martel passed the ball over the lower edge of the crossbar into the goal. This gave Stöger two reasons to be happy when he left.
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VIDEO: Roman Stary im Interview
VIDEO: Leitgeb is thrown off the pitch after a horror foul
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Image: GEPA
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