GAK has scored for the first time since being promoted back to the Bundesliga. However, there was no beauty prize to be won in Innsbruck. The away game at WSG Tirol ended in a scoreless draw. “Our main goal was to take something home with us. A fair draw,” said coach Gernot Messner.
For the GAK coach, it was the first point loss in the eighth direct duel with WSG coach Philipp Semlic after seven previous wins. It was not to be expected that a showdown between these two coaches would end in a 0:0 draw. After all, fewer than three goals were scored in none of the seven previous encounters, and the defeated Semlic team had always scored at least once.
This time it was clear early on that this match would not be a treat in the high summer temperatures at the Tivoli. The first half was uneventful. Some would call it a summer kick, others two disciplined and compact defensive lines that allowed little. With one big exception. In the 32nd minute, Dennis Dressel could have put GAK in the lead on his debut in the starting eleven. The new signing from Rostock himself caused Lukas Sulzbacher to lose the ball in his own penalty area. The ball came back to Dressel via Christian Lichtenberger, but his shot went wide of the goal.
“Defensively, it was OK, but we lacked courage when we had the ball,” complained Messner. WSG had more possession, but showed no offensive power. “We were good against the ball. I can’t remember a goal chance that we allowed,” said Dominik Frieser. The attacking play was repeatedly lacking in precision, although the Red Jackets were undoubtedly more conspicuous in the second half.
GAK was particularly close to victory in the final phase. First, one of the substitutes, Michael Cheukoua, knocked on the door, then another, Tio Cipot. It was the Slovenian who could have, and perhaps even should have, delivered the lucky punch in injury time. He missed the near post from close range. “I probably should have done that, but unfortunately I didn’t manage it,” explained the 21-year-old, “sometimes you take advantage of an opportunity, sometimes you don’t.”
Even though there was a chance of three points, no one in the GAK camp complained. “We’re happy to take the point,” said Messner. Central defender Petar Filipovic also said: “All in all, we can live with the point. Every point will be important.” For Semlic, on the other hand, it was a kind of victory for himself not to have lost to Messner again. “I’m obviously happy that this spell has been broken,” grinned the Tyrolean coach from Styria.
