Headline rephrased: Kühbauer, WAC coach, voices a sole grievance concerning his team
Wolfsberger AC Face Play-Off Challenge in Europa League Quest
In a bid to secure a spot in the Europa League group stage for the 2021/22 season, Austrian club Wolfsberger AC faced a tough test against Omonia Nikosia in Cyprus. Despite a promising performance in some transition phases, the Wolfsbergers found themselves struggling against the deep-standing block of their opponents, recording only six shots on goal compared to Omonia's nine.
The match, played at the Toumba Stadium, came after a 0:2 defeat for Wolfsberger against Altach in the new Bundesliga season, prompting coach Didi Kühbauer to demand a response from his team. Kühbauer was cautious in setting up his team, aiming to replicate the Greek traditional club's strategy to score the first points in the championship.
The Wolfsbergers' European journey this season has been a mixed bag. In the previous season, they reached the round of the best 32 in the Europa League but suffered a heavy 1:8 aggregate loss to Tottenham Hotspur. If the Wolfsbergers fail to progress in the play-off, they will likely face Omonia Nikosia again.
Meanwhile, the Cypriot team secured a comfortable position for the return match with a 4:0 away win. Omonia showed the virtues that brought them the cup success last season in their subsequent match. Caution is advised with the next opponent, as Rapid lost 3:1 to Omonia Nikosia in Cyprus last year.
In a sad turn of events, former Wolfsberger president Leo Windtner passed away. The team, however, was not unsettled by the heated atmosphere of the 28,000 fans at the Toumba Stadium. Tierno Ballo had the lead twice during the match, but the Wolfsbergers missed several scoring chances, a fact lamented by Kühbauer.
In a surprising turn of events, Shelbourne FC from Ireland won the first leg against HNK Rijeka 2:1 in the play-off, setting up an intriguing second leg. If the Wolfsbergers can navigate their play-off encounter, they will have another chance to enter the Europa League in the 2020/21 season. However, their progress in the play-off is uncertain, and they will need to improve their offensive efficiency to stand a chance against tough opposition.
Other European leagues, such as the Champions League, might be a possibility for Wolfsberger AC if they can improve their offensive efficiency and navigate their Europa League play-off encounter. Despite their past struggles against teams like Tottenham Hotspur in European competitions, they have faced tough opponents like Omonia Nikosia and Rapid in the recent past.
