Vienna Open the Season with Cup Victory
First Vienna FC 1894 kicked off the new season with a 2–1 away win over Mattersburger SV in the first round of the UNIQA ÖFB Cup. A first-half brace from Maximilian Fillafer put the visitors in control before the hosts pulled one back late on to set up a tense finish.
Vienna travelled to Mattersburg for their first competitive match of the campaign. Head coach Patrick Enengl was without first-choice goalkeeper Bernhard Unger, meaning new signing Kilian Kretschmer made his competitive debut between the posts.
Vienna Take Control from the Start
Vienna dominated possession from the opening whistle, putting the hosts under pressure with aggressive pressing and positive attacking football. While the final touch was initially missing, the Blue and Yellow made it clear from the outset that they intended to dictate the game.
After ten minutes, Raul Marte played an excellent through ball to Maximilian Fillafer, who was just unable to reach it. Only a minute later, Vienna won possession high up the pitch, but Zimmermann's effort was blocked at the last moment. The visitors remained firmly in control but lacked precision in the final third.
In the 17th minute, Marte once again produced an excellent pass, this time picking out captain Daniel Luxbacher, whose deflected effort drifted just wide of the post. Vienna continued to move the ball confidently, controlled the midfield, and gave the Burgenland side very little opportunity to create chances of their own.
Kaltenböck Keeps Mattersburg in the Game
Vienna's best chance up to that point came after half an hour. Following a corner kick, Felix Luckeneder's header was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Mattersburg goalkeeper Kaltenböck. Three minutes later, Nagele tested the goalkeeper from distance, but Kaltenböck was once again equal to the task, turning the effort behind for another corner.
Fillafer Strikes Twice Before the Break
Just before half-time, Vienna's dominance was finally rewarded. Luxbacher delivered a perfectly weighted through ball behind the defence, allowing Fillafer to race clear and calmly slot past Kaltenböck to give the visitors a deserved 1–0 lead.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, the Döbling side doubled their advantage. Bauer drove forward down the right flank before finding Fillafer, who confidently finished into the far corner to make it 2–0 at the interval.
After an impressive first-half display, Vienna went into the dressing room with a fully deserved two-goal advantage thanks to Maximilian Fillafer's brace.
Vienna Remain in Control
Patrick Enengl made his first change at the break, introducing Youssouf Soukouna in place of Zimmermann. Mattersburg also made a substitution, bringing on former Vienna player Joel Kitenge.
Vienna picked up where they had left off, continuing to control the game while remaining defensively solid. The visitors competed strongly in the duels and initially allowed the hosts very few opportunities. In the 50th minute, Bauer tried his luck from long range, but Strodl threw himself in front of the shot to divert it behind for a corner. Six minutes later, Mattersburg finally registered their first effort on target, but the long-range strike caused no problems for Kretschmer.
Mattersburg Increase the Pressure
Shortly after the hour mark, Enengl introduced fresh legs with Filip Mrzljak and Christoph Monschein replacing Nagele and goalscorer Maximilian Fillafer.
Only moments after coming on, Monschein attempted to catch the goalkeeper off his line with an audacious lob, but his effort drifted narrowly wide.
As the match progressed, Mattersburg began to apply more pressure. A corner in the 70th minute led to a dangerous deflected effort from Markl that struck the side netting. The hosts forced several set pieces during this spell, while Vienna found themselves increasingly under pressure. In response, Enengl introduced Edelhofer for captain Luxbacher in the 77th minute.
Late Goal Sets Up Nervous Finish
With ten minutes remaining, the match suddenly became tense. After receiving a back pass, Kretschmer attempted to clear the ball but struck an onrushing attacker instead. The loose ball fell kindly to Halper, who took advantage to reduce the deficit to 2–1 in the 80th minute.
The goal gave the hosts renewed belief as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Vienna, however, defended with determination and limited Mattersburg to very few clear opportunities. In the 89th minute, Patrick Enengl introduced Marlon Winter for Raul Marte to reinforce the defence.
Deep into stoppage time, Kretschmer preserved Vienna's lead with an outstanding save to deny Mattersburg a dramatic equaliser. Moments later, the final whistle confirmed a hard-fought but deserved 2–1 victory, sending First Vienna FC 1894 safely through to the second round of the UNIQA ÖFB Cup.
Secure Your Vienna Season Ticket
Following a successful start to the season in the UNIQA ÖFB Cup, Vienna now turns its attention to the opening round of the ADMIRAL 2. Liga. On Saturday, 1 August, at 6:30 p.m., the Blue and Yellow welcome Sturm Graz II to Hohe Warte.
Secure your regular seat now and don't miss a single home match. With a Vienna season ticket, you'll be there for every home fixture of both the men's and women's teams throughout the season.
Season tickets are available online at www.1894.at/tickets or at the Vienna club office.
