On Saturday, leaders Sturm won the 200th <a href="http://www.time.news/gak-is-2nd-league-champion-early-and-is-promoted/" title="GAK is 2nd league champion early and is promoted”>Graz derby 5-2 against unpromoted GAK side and Salzburg scored a late away win with a 2-1 victory over Altach. The Bulls are six points behind Sturm in fourth place with two games in hand. The WAC is third on points after a 1-0 win at Blau-Weiß Linz.
In an exciting game in front of 19,500 spectators at the Allianz Stadium, the Hütteldorfers only converted in a goal from Dion Beljo (15th) before the break. The visitors’ quick equalizer from Tobias Kainz (21′) was outstanding. After the break, the Styrians were the better team, but they came away empty handed as “Joker” Noah Bischof scored (85th). It was very close in the 61st minute when Niklas Hedl was able to keep out a header from Donis Avdijaj in extremis. According to the TV images, the ball was probably not completely behind the line.
For Rapid, the third competitive win in a row was an ideal dress rehearsal for Thursday’s home duel with FC Noah in the Conference League. Rapid also got revenge for the two home defeats against Hartberg last season. There was no win in nine consecutive competitive games. Hartberg lost again after a competitive seven game unbeaten run.
Austria’s Vienna moved into the top half of the table with their win against Austria’s Klagenfurt. Coach Stephan Helm’s “Veilchen” prevailed, narrowly but deservedly, in front of 3,629 spectators at Lake Wörthersee. For the Viennese, “Joker” Andreas Gruber became the match-winner in the 77th minute with his fourth goal of the season, which meant that the favorites moved to fifth place with their first away win. Helm’s troops now have 15 points in their account.
Lake Wörthersee was upset after seven minutes: Klagenfurt defender Jannik Robatsch blocked a header from Lucas Galvao after a corner spread with his hand, referee Sebastian Gishamer unsurprisingly decided on a penalty after consulting VAR Manuel Schüttengruber and not checking the TV. images. Peter Pacult’s Carinthians are in ninth place with one game less and eleven points. For the first time this season, Vienna Austria did not concede a goal in the league.
LASK continued its upward trend even after the international break. After the victory in Tyrol, the Linzers are already six games unbeaten over all competitions. After a 50-meter goal from Cem Üstündag (16th), Valon Berisha (40th) and Maximilian Entrup (87th) the game turned in favor of the guests, who finally made it places in the championship group. When he scored, Üstündag saw that Jörg Siebenhandl was too far in front of his goal, shot from the halfway line and the ball went into the goal behind the LASK goalkeeper. Siebenhandl had to be substituted at half time after colliding with Quincy Butler and cutting his left eye.
LASK’s third goalkeeper, Lukas Jungwirth, was not really tested. Scenes in the penalty area were rare in the second half. Ultimately, Entrup struck shortly before the end. The Watteners are still winless in home games this season. LASK have not won in six games since the city’s victory against Blau-Weiß, the first game under coach Markus Schopp. On Thursday the athletes continue in the Conference League away against Olimpija Ljubljana.