Compared to the duel in the round of 16 of the ÖFB Cup at WAC (10:11), the coach changed his starting eleven in five positions: Simon Straudi, Florian Jaritz, Christopher Wernitznig, Ben Bobzien and Nicolas Binder moved into the team, Solomon Bonnah, Jonas Kühn, Philipp Wydra, Laurenz Dehl and David Toshevski had to be content with the reserve role.
In front of goalkeeper Simon Spari, Niklas Szerencsi, captain Thorsten Mahrer and Jannik Robatsch formed the defensive line. In midfield, priority was given to Straudi and Jaritz on the flanks and Tobias Koch, Dikeni Salifou and Wernitznig in the middle. Bobzien and Binder began the attack.
The Klagenfurt team started energetically and tried to put their rivals from Lavanttal under pressure early on. But the first chance went to WAC: After a counter-attack, Angelo Gattermayer brought the ball flat in front of the box from the left, Thomas Sabitzer ran down and into Spari.
Weird: The hit would not count because referee Arnes Talic received a Wien-Meidling tip from video assistant referee Harald Lechner. Just before Wolfsberg’s attack, Chibuike Nwaiwu blocked Wernitznig’s shot with his upper arm, and Talic decided on a punishable handball. Bobzien (12th) came up and overtook Nikolas Polster, who was still on top of his leg.
Ten minutes later the perfect chance to score came again after Binder was brought down in the penalty area by Simon Piesinger. Talic pointed the spot again, Bobzien took responsibility again – and the ball fidgeted in the net again. But the WAC wasn’t put off at all and now it’s being pushed to a tie. Gattermayer scored, but Thierno Ballo’s cross was just offside, which was not noticed by Lechner’s VAR.
At the start of the second half, guest coach Dietmar Kühbauer introduced three new players, including former Austria captain Markus Pink, who returned to his Carinthian homeland via Shanghai and Sandhausen. With the three Jokers, the “Wolves” wanted a turnaround. The bell could have rung after five minutes, but Szerencsi managed to get a shot from Dejan Zukic. 20 minutes before the end the time had come: Sandro Altunashvili repeated the exciting game with a dream volleyball goal of 26 meters.
A quarter of an hour before the end, Pacult responded for the first time, but in three ways: Kosmas Gkezos in defence, Bonnah on the right wing and Wydra in midfield to help defend the narrow lead. Szerencsi, Straudi and Wernitznig were out of work. Toshevski then continued in the center of attack for the double goal scorer Bobzien (84th).
Like four days before in the cup thriller, both teams fought a thrilling fight in the final stage. The WAC increased the pressure, but at the same time it also increased the danger, which opened up space for Klagenfurt to go forward in the game. But they could hardly provide any relief as they were deep in their own half. However, the rivals from Lavanttal lacked the necessary determination to force an equaliser. Sankara Karamoko (90th) headed Spari, Pink (90th + 4) narrowly missed. The third derby of the current season went to Austria.
Next week the Violets will be preparing for the next challenge in the sports field, in the 13th round of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga 2024/25 the Pacult team will go to the capital, more precisely to Hütteldorf to face title candidate SK Rapid. After that there will be another international break in the championship.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Good day and welcome to another edition of our sports insights segment! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Johann Müller, a renowned football analyst and expert in Austrian football. We’ll be discussing the recent thrilling match in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga where Austria Klagenfurt claimed a significant victory over Wolfsberger AC. Dr. Müller, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Müller: Thank you for having me! It’s always exciting to discuss the dynamics of such high-stakes matches.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The game ended with a score of 2-1 in favor of Austria Klagenfurt. From what you saw, what were the key factors that led to Klagenfurt’s success?
Dr. Müller: There were a few crucial elements. Firstly, Austria Klagenfurt started the match with a tremendous amount of energy. They pressed high and didn’t allow Wolfsberg to settle into their rhythm. Additionally, Ben Bobzien’s performance was pivotal, scoring both goals from the penalty spot. His confidence was evident, especially after having been instrumental in their previous match against the same team.
Editor: Speaking of Bobzien, he effectively converted two penalties. How significant are penalty conversions in a match like this?
Dr. Müller: Absolutely, successful penalty conversions can tilt the momentum in favor of the team. It shows not just skill—and Bobzien displayed plenty of that—but also mental strength. After the second penalty, Klagenfurt managed to build on their lead and control the game’s flow, even when Wolfsberg responded with pressure later in the match.
Editor: There were notable tactical changes from Klagenfurt’s coach, Peter Pacult. He rotated the squad significantly compared to their last encounter. How did these changes impact the team’s performance?
Dr. Müller: Rotating players can be a gamble, but in this case, it worked out brilliantly for Pacult. By bringing in players like Simon Straudi and Florian Jaritz, he infused new energy into the midfield and attack. The tactical flexibility allowed them to press aggressively and exploit spaces effectively. It’s a testament to the squad depth that they could perform this way under pressure.
Editor: In contrast, Wolfsberg introduced three new players at the start of the second half, including former Austria captain Markus Pink. What do you make of their strategy and substitutions?
Dr. Müller: Substitutions are always a tactical decision aimed at shifting the momentum. While introducing veteran players like Pink can bring experience, it’s often challenging to make immediate impacts against an opponent already in control. Unfortunately for Wolfsberg, they failed to capitalize on their chances, including an offside goal that could have changed the match dynamic.
Editor: Speaking of officiating, there were a few controversial decisions during the match, including the penalties and an offside situation. How important is VAR in managing these critical moments?
Dr. Müller: VAR can be a double-edged sword; it certainly adds accuracy to officiating, but it can also create tension among players and fans. The intervention during this match shows its importance in ensuring that crucial calls, like the penalties awarded, are correctly managed. However, it’s essential that VAR is utilized consistently to maintain fairness and clarity throughout the season.
Editor: As we reflect on this match and the season so far, what does this victory say about Austria Klagenfurt’s ambitions in the Bundesliga this year?
Dr. Müller: This win is undoubtedly a statement. It showcases their resilience and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. If they can maintain this momentum and continue to leverage their tactical flexibility and squad depth, they could very well be contenders for the upper half of the table. The Bundesliga is competitive, but with performances like this, Klagenfurt could make a significant push.
Editor: Thanks for your insights, Dr. Müller! It’s always enlightening to discuss the intricacies of the game with you. Any final thoughts?
Dr. Müller: Just to keep an eye on Klagenfurt as the season progresses! Their passionate performance could be the foundation for a truly exciting season ahead.
Editor: Thank you again for joining us today. We look forward to discussing more thrilling matches in the future. Until next time!