Austria has a moment of mirth following an "extraordinary week," marked by leading the league table.
Austria Wien's Impressive Comeback: From Six-Point Deficit to League Leadership
Showcasing exceptional grit and determination, Austria Wien snatched the league lead from defending champions Sturm Graz, dreaming expectantly of their first football championship title since 2013 following a 2:1 victory on Wednesday and a 1:0 win on Sunday in Graz.
Refusing to be deterred by their early six-point deficit, Austria Wien displayed unparalleled resilience in their pursuit of the title. "What an astonishing week," Austria captain Manfred Fischer exclaimed triumphantly. Stung by their defeats, Sturm Graz accused the referee, Sebastian Gishamer, of favoring Austria Wien.
"We've worked hard for this collective high, and it feels great," Austria coach Stephan Helm said with satisfaction. Wales was within striking distance, three points behind the leading teams, and with only four rounds remaining, the stage was set for an exhilarating sprint to the finish line. Fourth-placed Salzburg, too, nurtured hopes with just a four-point deficit.
"The league lead is gratifying, but a single loss could change everything again," Fischer cautioned. The taste of victory had ignited a fire within them. "We dare to dream, and that's fulfilling when you're so close, but there's still a grueling road ahead," Fischer admitted.
A "Nasty" Los Volantes in the "Chaotic" Game
Austria Wien demonstrated their mettle by proving to be a formidable adversary in Graz. The game was marred by three red cards and seemed to bear little resemblance to the stellar performance seen in the previous match. The team struggled to convert their scarcely available chances, and their eagerness to capitalize on their numerical superiority proved to be their undoing. In the 80th minute, Nik Prelec eventually broke the deadlock.
"The game was chaotic, and we were too impatient ourselves," Helm remarked with regret. Austria Wien might have squandered valuable opportunities to put the match beyond doubt. Sturm Graz felt they had equalized in the 96th minute through Belmin Beganovic, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Emanuel Aiwu. This was the latest twist in a series of controversial situations that all seemed to favor Austria Wien.
The red card shown to William Böving (28') for unsporting behavior against Reinhold Ranftl, who was also sent off late in the game, and the yellow-red card for Leon Grgic (66'/foul) were both justifiable, Gishamer explained in a Sky interview.
A Perspective from Graz
Jürgen Säumel, Sturm Graz's coach, saw things differently. He decried the two "harsh" red cards, expressing particular disappointment with the latter. Grgic had already been shown yellow early on for simulation, and the red card that followed was issued after a duel with Aleksandar Dragovic. According to Säumel, the Austrians often exaggerated minor contact to provoke aggressive responses, which ended with red cards. "It's frustrating to see the referees falling for it week after week."
Kjell Scherpen, Sturm Graz's goalkeeper, expressed dissatisfaction with the referee as well. "The referee failed to maintain control of the game from the beginning," Scherpen stated. However, Gishamer countered that individual situations should be assessed to determine if the Sturm players "maybe overreacted."
Scherpen also drew criticism for his error before the decisive goal. Failing to properly clear the ball after a corner, Scherpen admitted his mistake. "I should have kicked the ball further away," Scherpen admitted. Säumel stood by his goalkeeper, "He's the best goalkeeper in the league, and he will continue to be vital for us in the final sprint."
Looking Ahead
With their upcoming away match against Linz on the horizon, Sturm Graz faces what appears to be their easiest task, while Austria Wien must prepare for a challenging encounter against Salzburg. "It's irrelevant to focus on the table right now. Accounts will be settled at the end. There are still enough games for things to change," Säumel stated. His team has transitioned from the pursuer to the pursued. "The team has shown this season that they can handle both situations," Säumel noted.
Unfortunately, Linz will be without two strikers, Boving and Grgic, due to suspensions. Both players will miss the match due to the injuries of Seedy Jatta and Fally Mayulu, leaving the team short-handed. However, according to Säumel, the team's levels of determination and unity have been commendable in the face of adversity. "The squad will bounce back next Sunday," he predicted.
However, off-the-field concerns are looming for Sturm Graz. Gishamer announced plans to file a complaint about a thrown cup at the referee team upon leaving. While Austria Wien and Sturm Graz face-off one final time in the 2021 Austrian Bundesliga, the drama surrounding their matches continues to intensify, echoing the heated rivalry that has defined these teams in previous championship races.
- In the midst of their pursuit of the European-leagues title, fourth-placed Salzburg remains hopeful, maintaining a 'deficit' of only four points.
- Austria's captain, Manfred Fischer, acknowledges that the team must 'defend' their position against formidable opponents like Salzburg, as the 'stages' of the championship race approach the final rounds.
- Amidst the tension of the 'sports' contest, Austria Wien and Salzburg will clash once more, reigniting the heated rivalry between the two clubs, reminiscent of prior championship races.
- With the 'capital' city's team racing towards their first football championship title since 2013, Austrian Bundesliga matches between Austria Wien and Salzburg symbolize significant 'stages' on the road to European-leagues glory.
- As Austria Wien aims to maintain their impressive comeback and lead in the Austrian Bundesliga, Manfred Fischer and his team must continue to 'defend' their position against solid contenders like Salzburg, who eagerly anticipate a chance to shrink the 'deficit' in the race for the championship title.
