Vienna Take All Three Points in Styria
Matchday 26 of the ADMIRAL 2. Liga saw Vienna travel to Styria to face ASK Voitsberg. Thanks to a dominant first half and solid defensive work after the break, the Blue and Yellows secured a well-deserved 2–0 away win.
After their 2–1 home victory over SV Lafnitz on Easter Monday, Vienna were back on the road for a tough test against ASK Voitsberg. Two key storylines surrounded this fixture: captain Bernhard Luxbacher returned to the starting XI after serving a one-match suspension, and Stefan Manzana Marina made his debut on the sidelines as head coach. Diomandé, who had started last time out, began this match on the bench.
Bright Start from Vienna
The visitors from Döbling made their intentions clear right from kick-off. Just three minutes in, Dilek was brought down just outside the penalty area, earning Vienna a dangerous free-kick. Bumbic struck it well, but Voitsberg keeper Ehmann was alert and punched the ball away.
Hosts Grow into the Game
Voitsberg responded soon after with a threat of their own. A misplaced backpass from Vienna nearly let a Voitsberg striker in, but keeper Unger reacted sharply to prevent any damage. The hosts looked to use quick transitions to trouble Vienna, and a dangerous cross into the box forced Steiner into a last-ditch clearance.
Luck on Vienna’s Side: Cleared off the Line
The home side came even closer from a free-kick. The ball floated dangerously across Vienna’s penalty area, only for Luxbacher to clear it off the line at the last moment. With Voitsberg now pressing higher, Vienna focused on building out from the back and controlling the tempo.
Quickfire Double Puts Vienna Ahead
Vienna’s patience paid off in the 21st minute. Edelhofer won the ball in midfield and found Schmidt, who laid it off to Luxbacher on the wing. The captain picked out the onrushing Steiner, who fired home past Ehmann to make it 1–0.
Just two minutes later, Edelhofer doubled the lead. After Stratznig won the ball back, Edelhofer drove forward from midfield, beat his marker, and finished clinically from the edge of the box. A rapid double strike had Vienna firmly in control.
Voitsberg Push Forward, Vienna Stay Dangerous
Despite the setback, Voitsberg continued to press and kept Vienna pinned back for periods. However, they struggled to create clear-cut chances. At the other end, Edelhofer nearly added a third with a quick counterattack, but his shot flew just over the bar.
Final Chance Before the Break
Voitsberg’s best chance of the half came in the 34th minute. After a corner, Kirnbauer rose highest and powered a header goalwards, but Unger made a crucial save on the line.
Vienna remained the more composed side in the closing minutes of the first half, but couldn’t add to their tally. The visitors went into the break with a 2–0 advantage.
Changes from the Hosts
Voitsberg made their first substitution at halftime, bringing on Krienzer for Parger. Vienna kept their starting XI unchanged.
The hosts upped the intensity after the restart, pushing for a way back into the game. But Vienna held their shape well and dealt effectively with the pressure. In the 52nd minute, a dangerous corner swung into the box was again punched clear confidently by Unger.
Vienna Dig In, Voitsberg Lack Precision
As the second half progressed, Vienna sat a bit deeper. Voitsberg enjoyed more possession in advanced areas, but struggled to produce quality finishes. Pfingstner tried his luck from distance in the 68th minute, but sent the ball high over the bar.
Fresh Legs for Vienna
Coach Manzana Marin made his first changes in the 67th minute, bringing on Diomandé and Zimmermann for Dilek and Edelhofer. The subs were meant to inject new energy into Vienna’s attack.
Just a minute later, Voitsberg came close after a high ball into the box, but their striker failed to connect cleanly.
Double Chance for the Visitors
Vienna had a golden opportunity in the 74th minute. After a slick attacking move, Steiner attempted an audacious lob over the Voitsberg defence, but a defender managed to clear just in time.
Four minutes later, Diomandé tried the same, narrowly missing the top corner with his chipped effort.
Unger Keeps It Clean
Voitsberg kept coming. In the 79th minute, a powerful header from a cross forced another key save from Unger, who held firm to maintain the clean sheet.
Diomandé Misses the Decider
In the 82nd minute, Diomandé nearly put the game to bed. After a strong solo run, he found himself one-on-one with keeper Ehmann, but his effort from a tight angle was deflected out for a corner.
Final Substitutions to See It Out
With the clock winding down, Vienna made a final round of substitutions. Nnamdi and Peham came on for Steiner and Schmidt in the 85th minute, followed shortly by Ochs replacing captain Luxbacher. The visitors managed the closing stages well and saw out a deserved 2–0 win on the road.
ASK Voitsberg vs. First Vienna FC 1894 0:2 (0:2)
ADMIRAL 2nd League, Matchday 26
Friday, 25 April 2025, 18:00
Münzer Bioindustrie Sportpark
Goals: 0:1 Steiner (22'), 0:2 Edelhofer (24')
Vienna: Unger, Steiner (85' Nnamdi), Luxbacher B. (89' Ochs), Bumbic, Omerovic, Schmidt (85' Peham), Bauer, Stratznig, Dilek (67' Diomandé), Ungar, Edelhofer (67' Zimmermann)
