Vienna misses points at the start of the second half of the season

Vienna Stumbles at the Start of the Second Half of the Season

In the opening match of the second half of the season, Vienna made a guest appearance in the southern part of the city, facing off against the league leaders, Admira. Despite dominating possession, the blue-yellow team lacked the necessary efficiency, while the home side capitalized on their chances. In the end, Vienna had to concede a 1:3 defeat.

Head coach Mehmet Sütcü had to make do without his top scorer Kelvin Boateng, in addition to the long-term injured Monshop and Rusek. This was a minor setback for Vienna, which nevertheless started the game with ambition.

Early Offensive Actions on Both Sides

From the first minute, an intense game with actions on both sides developed. Vienna tried to control the game while Admira looked for quick counter-attacking opportunities. In the 5th minute, Edelhofer put the first offensive mark with a shot from a distance, but his attempt did not trouble Admira-Keeper Siebenhandl significantly.

Shortly afterwards, things became more challenging in the penalty area of the Döblinger. After a confusing situation, the back team of Vienna was able to clear the ball with united efforts. With increasing playing time, Vienna took over more possession and shifted the action into the opposing half repeatedly. However, Admira remained dangerous, lurking for mistakes and specifically looking for their chances of counterattack.

Opportunities Missed

In the 22nd minute, a promising attack by the blue and yellow was thwarted: Luxbacher was fouled around 20 meters in front of the goal. Edelhofer circled the due free kick over the wall, but the ball did not lower in time and went just over the bar.

The Admira was particularly dangerous through set pieces. A directly kicked corner in the 28th minute forced Vienna keeper Unger to a concentrated save, but the guests switched over at lightning speed. After the turned away corner kick, a quick counterattack followed: Namdi hit a precise flank into the penalty area, where Zimmermann laid out the ball for the rushing Stratznig. But this missed the opportunity to complete from a hair’s breadth from a short distance – luck for the home side!

Exciting Final Phase of the First Half

In the 36th minute, the Admira struck ice cold. After a quick move, Gashi came to a conclusion and fled the ball unsustainably for Unger just under the crossbar – 1-0 for the hosts. However, the Vienna was unimpressed by the deficit and immediately increased the pressure.

The fans of the blue-yellow did not have to wait long for the equalization. The Vienna struck back six minutes after the goal: Luxbacher brought a precisely kicked corner into the penalty area, where Omerovic climbed the highest and transported the ball into the net with a massive header – 1: 1 in the 42nd minute!

With the deserved equalization, the half-time break went. The Vienna had more possession of the ball, but the Admira was particularly dangerous for fast switching moments and standards. An exciting second half was inevitable.

No Change at Half-Time

Both teams returned out of the cabin unchanged and the game remained intense. The Vienna continued to have more possession and tried to control the game, but clear chances remained in short supply. The Admira relied on their proven means: dangerous standard situations. In the 58th minute, a free kick by the hosts sailed into the penalty area of the blue-yellow, but Vienna goalkeeper Unger was attentive and picked the ball safely from the air.

Big Chance for the Vienna – Admira Hits Ice Cold

A little later, the guests had the best opportunity until then. After a quick attack, the ball landed in the penalty area at Ochs, from which the ball went to Carpenter. The striker pulled off from a short distance, but two defending Admirans threw themselves in the shot and blocked to the corner.

However, the subsequent corner ball remained without yield – and in direct return, the Admira showed its efficiency. After a precise attack over the outside, the ball was played sharply into the penalty area, where Winterneu access Nussbaumer was in the right place and inserted ice cold to 2-1 for the southern towns.

Trainer Sütcü Reacts with a Double Change

Just a few minutes after the new deficit, Vienna coach Mehmet Sütcü pulled the first exchange options: Edelhofer made space for Schmidt, Ochs was replaced by the dynamic Diomandé. The guests were now looking forward to the way forward, but the Admira lurked.

The home side continued to rely on their strengths in standards and long balls – and were rewarded again. After a wide ball into the Vienna penalty room, the defense tried to clear with his head, but the ball jumped unhappily on the crossbar. From the aluminum, the ball bounced off the feet of an admiraner, which could not be asked twice and completed from a short distance to 3: 1.

Everything or Nothing: Vienna Brings Fresh Offensive Forces

The Vienna did not give up and changed again: in the 73rd minute, Carpenter and Namdi left the field, for them two fresh offensive forces came with Peham and Dilek. The blue-yellow now threw everything forward, but the Admira remained defensively stable and allowed little.

The Final Offensive Remains Unpublished

Despite the efforts of the Vienna, it was again the Admira that had the next big chance in the 83rd minute. After a flank, a Mödling attacker sailed just past the ball – that could have been the final decision.

The Vienna tried again with a header from Omerovic, but his conclusion missed the goal. In the final phase, the Admira left nothing to burn and confidently brought the lead over time.

In the end, the Vienna had to accept a 1:3 defeat at the start of the second half of the season. Despite playful superiority, the necessary punch was missing, while the Admira used its chances ice cold. However, the opportunity to make amends next week: In the first home game of spring, Vienna receives SV Stripfing – a chance to take the first points in 2025.

FC Admira Wacker vs. First Vienna FC 1894 3:1 (1:1)

Admiral 2. Liga, 17. Round
Friday, February 21, 2025, 8:30 p.m.
BSFZ Arena, 1,618 spectators

Goals: 1:0 Gashi (36.), 1:1 Omerovic (42.), 2:1 Nussbaumer (62.), 3:1 Malicsek (74.)

Vienna: Unger, Luxbacher B., Ochs, Bumbic, Omerovic, Zimmermann, Bauer, Stratznig, Namdi, Hungarian, Edelhofer