Austria has rekindled its championship contention: a 2:1 victory against Sturm Graz
Austria Wien Secures First Home Victory Against Sturm Graz in Three Years, Tightening Title Race
In a highly anticipated clash, Austria Wien claimed victory over reigning champions Sturm Graz, triumphing 2-1 at home. This triumph marks Austria's first substantial win against the Styrians at their home ground in three years, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the title race. The win narrows Austria's points deficit to three points, bumping them ahead of Salzburg in the table. The teams meet again in Liebenau on Sunday (17:00, live on Sky).
Malone's First-Half Strike
Characterized by strategic depth and limited goal-scoring opportunities, the first half was defined by a stalemate between the two rivals. The breakthrough arrived in the 40thminute, when a shot from Plavotic was saved by Sturm's goalkeeper, Scherpen. Ranftl's subsequent cross found Malone, who headers home the opening goal.
Sturm Graz Equalizes, Malone Misses Chance
JUST before halftime, Sturm Graz responded with an equalizer. Johnston capitalized on a Horvat assist, netting a low shot into the far corner - 1-1 (45'). Moments later, Malone had an opportunity to double Austria's lead, only to hit the crossbar.
Prelec Seals Austria's Triumph
The second half remained intense, and in the 61stminute, Austria seized the lead on the counter-attack. Malone assists Barry, whose shot forced Scherpen into a save, allowing Prelec to capitalize on the rebound and make it 2-1.
It's worth noting that Austria Wien has been displaying consistent perfromance, with recent victories against WSG Tirol (2-0) and Rapid Vienna (2-1). Conversely, Sturm Graz has experienced varying results, but their resilience was evident in their win against Salzburg (4-2). The outcome of their upcoming match has significant implications for the title race, as both teams jockey for position among the top contenders. Rapid Vienna, Salzburg, and the two teams will continue to challenge for the coveted Austrian Bundesliga title.
In the title race of European-leagues, particularly the Austrian Bundesliga, the victory by Austria Wien over Sturm Graz marked a significant milestone, as it was their first triumph against the Styrians in three years and places them within three points of the lead, ahead of Premier-league contenders Salzburg. During their upcoming encounter on Sunday, Malone's goal-scoring prowess will be crucial, as he played a key role in their 2-1 victory, having scored the opening goal and setting up the deciding score.
