Austria Expresses Optimism: "Character shown by the team has been frequent"
In a tense and closely-fought battle, Baník Ostrava emerged victorious in the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League playoffs against Austria Wien. The Czech side secured a 4-3 aggregate win, with the second leg ending in a 1-1 draw at the Generali Arena in Vienna.
Austria Wien's hopes of overturning the deficit from the first leg were dashed as Baník Ostrava's Erik Prekop scored a crucial penalty in the second half. Despite Austria Wien's valiant effort at home, they were unable to progress, marking an early exit from the competition for the Austrian side.
The atmosphere at the Generali Arena was electric, with over 10,000 spectators in attendance for the second leg. However, the game was not enough to save Austria Wien's campaign.
Regarding defender Aleksandar Dragovic, there is no confirmed update on his participation or condition in this match or the playoffs.
Baník Ostrava demonstrated resilience and efficiency throughout the tie, showcasing a strong showing both away and at home. Austria Wien's efforts were not enough to counteract Baník Ostrava's determined performance.
Coach Stephan Helm expressed a positive impression from the team at the final training session on Wednesday, praising their character and quality. However, he acknowledged that the team needs to quickly regain stability in defence, particularly in the penalty areas, and win crucial duels to secure a win.
Sporting director Manuel Ortlechner demanded a better performance than the previous game, urging Austria to show their true face in the match. Ortlechner is confident that there is enough quality in the squad to ensure Austria's offense is always a threat.
Despite the defeat, Helm remains optimistic, expressing that even in Ostrava, the team has shown character and quality in the past. He also acknowledged the team's awareness of the pressure they are under.
Banik Ostrava, according to Helm, is not an overpowering team, making Austria's exit all the more surprising. The focus now shifts to Austria Wien's preparations for the next season, as they look to bounce back from this disappointing exit.
In the upcoming season, Austria Wien might focus more on their defensive strategy, as indicated by coach Stephan Helm, considering the penalty area weaknesses that were exploited by Baník Ostrava in the UEFA Conference League playoffs.
The European leagues, particularly the Austrian Bundesliga, could witness a more offensive approach from Austria Wien next season, as sporting director Manuel Ortlechner emphasized the team's potential to consistently threaten the opposition's goal.
