Austria - Football Season 2022/23

[Club-Mate]

Yesterday the new season 2022/23 started with the match RB Salzburg vs Austria 3:0 (1:0).
The first half was a balanced tie even with 2-3 good chances for reinforced Austria. In second half Salzburg was the better team and and deservedly won. Highlight of the match was the beautiful goal of Fernando (bought from Sahaktar). Fernando then made a double back salto and delighted the spectators with this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgssestEHbM

an overview of all clubs will come a bit later.

This year I would like to present a table of a different kind from all clubs of first and second tier:
The survey is published each year from VdF. It is the voice of all footballers working in Austria.
1) punctuality of the payment of salaries
2) clarity of contracts
3) continued wage payments in the event of injuries
4) information exchange management & team
5) image of the club
6) medical care within the club
7) adequate equipment

[krdel]

Season started last week with the cup. There were some interesting results, Vienna lost in Siegendorf as one would expect from the name, while in contrast to the name Vorwärts did not go through against Hertha. Austria Slazburg also won.

[Club-Mate]

matchday 1
RB Salzburg - Austria Wien 3:0 (1:0)
LASK - Austria Klagenfurt 3:1 (2:0)
WAC - Sturm Graz 1:1 (1:1)
Austria Lustenau - WSG Tirol 2:1 (1:0)
Rapid - SV Ried 1:0 (0:0)

Rapid could not convince at all like already against Lechia and in Cup match against Treibach (3rd tier - away win 0:1 in 94 min). Ried most of time was the better team with at least 3-4 good chances and hitting 2 x the post. From nothing Rapid scored in 77 min. and so could get some hopes for the match in Gdansk. It looks like they still need some time to settle.
Sturm could get one point in Wolfsberg but should be satisfied as WAC missed a penalty and Sturm in 2nd half were reduced because of red card.
LASK beat a moderate Austria Klagenfurt without problems.
Promoted Austria Lustenau could win the first points in Bundesliga after about 20 years.

[Club-Mate]

Some words from Jürgen Klopp after the friendly match of Salzburg vs Liverpool 1:0 (interview held in German)
“Of course, the defeat annoys me. We just came straight from the training camp. Salzburg would have done that very well." Special praise went to Nico Mantel. "He made incredible saves a few times."
When asked about the fact that Salzburg is selling the best players every year and still manages to put together a powerful squad, he said: "My footballer's heart is beating. They do great with Liefering as they always pull the guys up. You can do a lot of shit with money. But they don't do that in Salzburg. Respect!"

[Club-Mate]

Champion Salzburg and runner-up Sturm meet today at 7:30 p.m. at Graz Merkur Arena by far the best two teams in Austria.
A look at the statistics provides the answers. Salzburg has dominated the Bundesliga since taking over from Red Bull and has won 13 titles in the past 16 seasons interrupted only by Rapid (07/08), SK Sturm (10/11) and Austria (12/13). Nine in a row since the 2013/14 season.
In the past two seasons Sturm have scored 112 points in 64 games putting them in second place behind Salzburg (157 points). That's no less than 45 points behind. Sturm have established themselves at a high sporting level and made a significant step forward compared to the comparison period of two previous seasons (2018/19 and 2019/20). In the pre-Ilzer era the Blackies only ranked 8th.
A clear strategic plan well thought-out transfers sticking to the chosen path including the whereabouts of the coach and a bit of luck catapulted Sturm to the front directly behind the Red Bulls - albeit with a respectful distance.

[Club-Mate]

Sturm Graz put champion Red Bull Salzburg to their limits in 2nd round of Bundesliga. The Styrians got the upper hand in the duel between the two best teams of the past season at Merkur Arena on Saturday after a convincing performance with 2:1 (1:0).
Sturm's success was guaranteed by striker Rasmus Höjlund with a double pack (23', 51'). Maurits Kjaergaard (87th) only managed the connecting goal. Sturm secured their second win against Salzburg in a row after a 2-1 win at the end of last season on April 27. With this result coach Christian Ilzer's squad underlined that it might be possible to be involved in the fight for first place for a longer time this year.
In any case a lot of self-confidence could be fueled for the upcoming first leg of the third qualifying round for the Champions League against the Ukrainian record champions Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday in Lodz.

matchday 2
Sturm Graz - Salzburg 2:1 (1:0)
Ried - Austria Lustenau 2:1 (1:0)
Altach - WAC 2:2 (1:0)
WSG Tirol - Hartberg 2:1 (1:1)
Klagenfurt - Rapid 0:1 (0:0)
Austria - LASK 1:1 (0:0)

[Firnen]

WAC is having a nightmare vs LASK, 0-4 in the 1st half.

LASK new forward Ljubicic has already 5 goals in 3 league matches.

Austria Wien is bottom of the table with 0-1-2. Not the most encouraging sign ahead of their UEL Play-Off matches.

[kroftek]

Marin Ljubičić came to LASK on loan from Hajduk, where he couldn't hit the skyscraper from close proximity.

Of course he's scoring like mad since he left. LASK will probably buy him out, I think the clause is cca 2M €.

[Firnen]

Marin Ljubičić came to LASK on loan from Hajduk, where he couldn't hit the skyscraper from close proximity.

Of course he's scoring like mad since he left. LASK will probably buy him out, I think the clause is cca 2M €.

Bear in mind that Austria, like the Netherlands, is a good evironment for attackers, because all the teams try to play football instead of parking the bus, the grass in all stadiums is in a good condition, and the coaches have an attcking mindset. I remember mediocre Greek players like Fountas who were struggling in a league with very little "clean" playing time against 11-men defenses and constant fouling, having great numbers in Austria.

[Club-Mate]

matchday 5
RB Salzburg - Austria Klagenfurt 2:0 (0:0)
SCR Altach - Austria Lustenau 1:2 (1:1)
Sturm Graz - LASK 0:1 (0:0)
WAC - Austria Wien 1:2 (1:1)
SV Ried - WSG Tirol 1:2 (1:0)
Rapid - TSV Hartberg postponed

13 - LASK
12 - RB Salzburg
10 - Austria Lustenau
8 - Sturm Graz
7 - Rapid, WSG Tirol
4 - Altach, Klagenfurt, Austria Wien*, Ried
3 - Hartberg
2 - WAC
* 3 points deduction

Rapid took the choice and postponed the match because of European participation on Thursday. That's the first time here since a club took this option. Other teams do not practise this kind they believe it's better to stay in present rhythm all the while. Rapid themselve mentioned that they have presently 2 teams available. So why then postpone this match? If you cannot beat FC Vaduz after 120 min at home it becomes questionable to play successfully in ECL GS.

WAC lost again at home this time to Austria Wien 1:2 (two weeks ago they lost 1:5 against LASK already!). They sold CB Lochoshvili to Seria A club Cremonese and yesterday one more good defender became injured. The chances against Molde are getting now even more difficult. The bottom team of Bundesliga will play against the leader of Eliteserien of Norway. I think this could be too much for them.

RB Salzburg beat Austria Klagenfurt clearly but doesn't seem so convincing as last season at this time. They sold Adeyemi to Borussia, Aaronson and Kristensen to Leeds and Camara to Monaco and cashed so far 93 mio plus some reselling fees for future time. But this time they spent more than usual. Just for Def Midfield Lukas Gourna-Douath (18) from St. Etienne they transfered 13 mio. He is supposed to replace Camara soon. He has high potential and got statistics close behind Bellingham and Sarr last season and already has played more than 60 matches for St. Etienne despite his young age (nothing bad so far has come from France to Salzburg ). Fernando from Shaktar is another good signing and will complete the attacking side plus Pavlovic (21) CB from Monaco and Karim Konate (18) from ASEC Mimosas. He is a very interesting import. He already plays in NT for Ivory Cote and scored despite his young age a lot of goals in CAF Championsleague. He is playing currently at FC Liefering like Haaland started 3-4 years ago. Dedic came back from WAC and replaces Kristensen as right back plus 4 players from FC Liefering complete the new squad.

Austria Lustenau promoting to Bundesliga is playing refreshing and successful football so far they have a sort of cooperation with French team Clermont Foot and already taking advantage to it. Teixeira scored 2 goals plus 5 assists already.

LASK leads the table after winning at Sturm and is showing convincing matches under new coach Didi Kühbauer who already has shown that he can bring up teams in serious problems. At beginning fans were upset to sign this coach because of past involvement of quarrals when coaching their enemy club Rapid. LASK defence has stabilized now comparing last season and in offence they signed Ljubicic from Hajduk who already impressed by scoring 6 goals in 5 matches plus Koulouris from Atromitos who was one of 3 top scorer in Greek Super league last season. These are long expected signings because of permanent injuries on this post. LASK gave away 3-4 players to Austria Wien.

[Firnen]

It's too early in the season but it already looks like LASK will return to Europe next year.

[Club-Mate]

yes it looks like that LASK could return to EC next season. The quotes from bwin for winning Bundesliga are as: (16.08.2022)
Salzburg 1,12
Sturm 8,0
Rapid 15,0
LASK 19,0
Austria Wien 81,0
WAC 151
all the rest 301

[Club-Mate]

[krdel]

Also worth mentioning is a great season from Vienna, they are in a fight for Bundesliga after many many years.

[Club-Mate]

Also worth mentioning is a great season from Vienna, they are in a fight for Bundesliga after many many years.

First Vienna FC won't promote to Bundesliga after this season because they have a plan to be Bundesliga fit only in 2026. They play their home matches in a nice old natural arena (Hohe Warte) once hosted up to 90.000 spectators in 1923 against Italy. But for Bundesliga many adaptations have to be done and they will build their Campus Vienna with all the facilities needed.
Contenders for Bundesliga promotion this season are Blau Weiß Linz (will get their new stadium end of 2023, St. Pölten, GAK from Graz is very interested too but might not make it and eventually Admira. Leader SV Horn already presented required financial documents for Bundesliga in case of winning 2. Liga but will decide only in spring if they will do this step.
Austria Salzburg the violets remained in Salzburg city having already an investor from neighboring Bavaria for building a new stadium but politics refused in some cases to give them some land which is scare in Salzburg. They play in 3rd level presently.


for krdel - I know you are interested in football Austria