GAK continued their upward trend in the Bundesliga and left the bottom of the table for the first time in two months. The promoted side celebrated their second win of the season with a 2-1 (1-1) win at Blau-Weiß Linz on Sunday and handed SCR Altach the Red Lantern. Christian Lichtenberger (41st) and Tio Cipot (47th) turned the game around for the Graz team, who were superior from the 60th minute onwards. Thomas Goiginger (30th) had put the home team ahead.
5,500 fans in the sold-out stadium on the Donaulände saw more possession of the ball by Gerald Scheiblehner’s team, but the GAK came closer to the penalty area with quick counter-attacks with more prospects. With the first chance, Blue and White were ahead. After a great combination, Alexander Schmidt spread through Fersler to Goiginger, who scored his second goal of the season.
Victory despite being higher
In the 41st minute, GAK equalized. After a cross from Benjamin Rosenberger, the strong Lichtenberger headed in to make it 1-1. Shortly after the restart, the visitors took the lead. After a throw-in, Daniel Maderner moved down the right and his low cross pushed Cipot over the line.
After an hour, GAK himself weakened Milos Jovicic after a foul on Ronivaldo and a VAR check (60th). The Linzers, who were so strong at home, pressed the majority, but found it difficult to create chances against Graz’s tight defense. Two weeks after their first win against WSG Tirol, the Graz athletes celebrated their next win and picked up eight points from the last four games.
A struggling joint
In the parallel match, the Altachers, now undefeated in eleven rounds, suffered a 2-0 win at the WAC - thanks to “joker” goals from Emmanuel Agyemang (77th) and Erik Kojzek (86th). The Vorarlbergers are now three points behind the GAK, while the Wolfsbergers, who achieved their first three points after three games without a win, moved into fourth place.
Oliver Srunz and Altach were only on top in this photo. GEPA pictures / Matthias Trinkl
It was clear that the home team had the upper hand in the first half on the difficult pitch of the Lavanttal Arena. Altach goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic had to stretch for a shot from Adis Jasic in the second minute and showed his class with a header from Simon Piesinger (29th). Piesinger had already gone over the crossbar in the twelfth minute. Sankara Karamoko tried a direct shot in the 39th minute, but it clearly missed the target.
Golden hand
After the break, a long-range shot from Maximilian Ullmann went just wide, but after that the Altach team found their way into the game better, although strong chances were still few and far between. Lukas Fridrikas headed well over the goal from a tight angle (60th), WAC goalkeeper Nikolas Polster could only parry a shot from Oliver Strunz when he followed (74th).
Three representatives were responsible for the leadership. Thomas Sabitzer fed Kojzek, who passed it to Agyemang, and Ghana finished without any problems. Lukas Fadinger missed the best chance to equalise, his shot landing on the outside bar (83′). The assistant referee’s flag went up in this action for an alleged foul, but the goal may have been included, as TV pictures suggested. Three minutes later, Kojzek made everything clear from a counterattack after Agyemang’s preparatory work. (red./APA)
How is SCR Altach’s performance affecting their chances of avoiding relegation in the Austrian Bundesliga?
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of Austrian football, particularly the recent developments in the Bundesliga. Joining us is football analyst and expert, Dr. Eva Huber. Thank you for being here, Dr. Huber!
Dr. Eva Huber: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss these thrilling matches.
Editor: GAK is making headlines after their remarkable 2-1 victory over Blau-Weiß Linz. They’ve climbed off the bottom of the table for the first time in two months. What are your thoughts on their performance?
Dr. Huber: GAK’s win is a significant boost for them, not just in terms of points but also in confidence. They’ve shown resilience, especially after going down early to Thomas Goiginger’s goal. Their ability to respond, particularly with headers from Lichtenberger and the quick play by Cipot, highlights their adaptability on the field.
Editor: Absolutely! It seems like their counter-attacking strategy worked well against Linz. How important was that, especially when facing a team that had more possession?
Dr. Huber: Very important! GAK’s approach of rapid counter-attacks allowed them to exploit the spaces left by a possession-dominant Linz side. Although Linz had more ball control, they often struggled to penetrate GAK’s organized defense, which was a crucial aspect of their strategy. GAK made their chances count—and that’s what often separates successful teams from others.
Editor: Speaking of defense, how effective was GAK’s defensive unit throughout the match? It seems they held their ground, especially during the intense periods of pressure from Linz.
Dr. Huber: GAK’s defense was indeed commendable. After a shaky start, they tightened up significantly, particularly after Milos Jovicic’s foul which saw him receive a red card. GAK displayed a disciplined and compact formation, making it difficult for Linz to create clear goal-scoring opportunities. Their ability to absorb pressure and hit back quickly on the break proved decisive.
Editor: And let’s talk about Christian Lichtenberger’s performance—he not only leveled the score but appeared to be a key player throughout the match. What do you think about his impact?
Dr. Huber: Lichtenberger’s goal was critical—not just in terms of the scoreline, but it symbolized GAK’s fighting spirit. His positioning and aerial ability were pivotal, demonstrating the importance of having players who can change the dynamics of the game. He embodies the “never give up” attitude that can inspire the team and the fans alike.
Editor: Moving on to the relegation battle, SCR Altach struggled again, losing to WAC. How do you see this impacting them moving forward?
Dr. Huber: Altach’s situation is concerning. With eleven rounds without a win, they need to address their issues quickly. The pressure is mounting, and being three points adrift of GAK puts them in a precarious position. They need to adapt after their recent performances and find ways to secure points in the coming matches. It’s crucial for them to regain some form and morale.
Editor: Lastly, what should GAK focus on in their upcoming matches to maintain this momentum and further distance themselves from the relegation zone?
Dr. Huber: Consistency will be key for GAK. They should aim to build on the defensive solidity they showed against Linz while continuing to refine their counter-attacking play. It’s also essential for them to maintain their mental strength and not get complacent after a couple of wins. If they can blend strategy with a winning mentality, they could secure their place in the league.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Huber, for your insights! It’s an exciting time for GAK and Austrian football in general. We look forward to seeing how the rest of the season unfolds.
Dr. Huber: Thank you! I’m eager to see how the teams evolve in the coming weeks.