On Saturday, leaders Sturm won their 200th cross derby 5-2 against yet-to-be-beaten GAK, and Salzburg scored a late 2-1 win in Altach. The Bulls sit in fourth place, six points behind the Sturm with two games in hand. Blau-Weiß are third in WAC points after a 1-0 win in Linz.
Dion Beljo (15th) converted their lead before half-time in a thrilling game in front of 19,500 spectators at the Allianz Stadium. Tobias Gaines (21′) equalized quickly for the visitors. Styrians were the better side after the break but came away empty-handed as “Joker” Noah Bischop scored (85th). In the 61st minute, a header from Donis Avtijaj was saved by Niklas Hed. According to the TV pictures, the ball was not completely behind the line.
For Rapid, a third straight match win was a perfect dress rehearsal for Thursday’s home duel with FC Nova in the Conference League. Rapid avenged both home losses against Hartberg last season. Unbeaten in nine consecutive matches. Hartberg lost again after a seven match unbeaten streak.
Vienna moved into the top half of the Austrian table with a win over Austria Klagenfurt. Trainer Stephen Helm’s “Wheelsen” narrowly but deservedly won at Lake Worthersea in front of 3,629 spectators. For Viennese, “Joker” Andreas Gruber scored the match winner in the 77th minute with his fourth goal, meaning the favorites moved up to fifth with their first away win. The helm trooper now has 15 points to his account.
There was chaos at Lake Worthersee seven minutes later: Klagenfurt defender Jannik Robach blocked Lucas Calvao’s header and then outstretched a corner, referee Sebastian Kieshamer surprisingly not awarding a penalty after consulting VAR Manuel Schuttengruber. Pictures. Peter Pacult’s Carinthians are ninth with eleven points from a game in hand. For the first time this season, Vienna have not scored a goal in the Austrian league.
Lask continued its upward trend even after the international break. After the win in Tyrol, the Linzers are already on a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions. After a 50-meter goal by Cem Üstündag (16th), Valon Berisha (40th) and Maximilian Entrup (87th) turned the match in favor of the guests, they finally entered the championship group places. When he scored, Jörg Siebenhandel found himself far from his goal, shot from the halfway line and the ball went into the goal behind the LASK goalkeeper. After a collision with Quincy Butler and a cut over his left eye, Siebenhandel was substituted at halftime.
A third LASK goalkeeper, Lucas Jungwirth, was not really tested. In the second half, there were few scenes in the penalty area. Eventually, Entrup struck just before the end. Watters are yet to win a home game this season. LASK are unbeaten in six games since the city derby against Blau-Weiß, the first game under coach Markus Schöpp. The players continue in the Conference League against Olimpija Ljubljana on Thursday.
