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WAC was able to improve ahead of the expected Europa League draw in the Bundesliga. Michael Liendl’s subsequent penalty in the 3-2 draw against Austria, which was sinking deeper into sporting misery, gave Wolfsbergers, who, according to coach Ferdinand Feldhofer, are in the “flow,” the prospect of a place important in the upper half of the table. With the Viennese, however, there is more and more fire on the roof.
>> Match report: Wolfsberger AC vs. Austria Wien
The favorites have gone where Peter Stöger did not want them to set their goals at the start of the season: plunged into a downward spiral. The rejuvenated team has gone seven rounds without a win, and looking at the table is not relaxed. Austria, which is in a difficult and economically affected sporting position, is five points behind sixth St. Pölten, while Admira is only three points away. The jump to the master group currently seems like an unrealistic undertaking.
Problems with Peter Stöger for the same mistakes
“We are down there and we need all the points,” Alexander Grünwald did not overlook anything. The Austrian captain wanted to know that his team did not fail voluntarily. “We attacked, we tried everything. It is very disappointing when the result is not correct every week,” said the veteran who was recalled to Lavanttal. Grünwald also saw missed opportunities as a sticking point. “You just have to hit them.”
In the 80th minute, Christoph Monschein gave away a great 3-2 chance against WAC goalkeeper Alexander Kofler. The attacker, who has been following his form for months, remains Austria’s top scorer with four goals, but scored three of them from penalties. A purple ray of hope is Alon Turgeman. The long-injured Israeli was in danger of scoring and put the visitors ahead in the first minute. But after an hour he was at the end of his strength.
In defense, in turn, the lack of concentration led to the conceded goals. Coach Peter Stöger looked a bit angry. “Things happen that we have been discussing for weeks. Still, they happen to us. It’s a repeating pattern,” he said on Sky. Goalkeeper Patrick Pentz, who has been Austria’s best for weeks, emphasized: “We have to be extremely critical of ourselves. He can’t go on like this, we all know that anyway.” Next Sunday, when the second half of the season begins in the home game against LASK, the next setback will be in store.
“We are in the flow”
WAC will play the last league game of the year in Salzburg. The Wolfsbergers, who are two points behind St. Pölten in one game, want to at least keep up with the top six after their fall at the national level didn’t go their way. After the first home win of the season over Austria, there was a little relief. “It takes games to turn things around in the championship,” right-back Michael Novak said.
On Monday, the visit to Nyon was on the program, where the round of 32 of the Europa League was drawn. On Wednesday, the Wolfsberg team will continue in the round of 16 of the Cup against second division Amstetten. The Lavanttalers shouldn’t lack energy in the annual finale. “Inspiring success, that’s no secret,” said coach Ferdinand Feldhofer. “We are in the flow. There are no injuries either, we can use all the players. That is a good sign.”
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