Wolfsberg. RZ Pellets WAC welcomed runners-up Sturm Graz at the start of the new Bundesliga season. Newcomers Hendrik Bonmann, Simon Piesinger, Raphael Schifferrl and Konstantin Kerschbaumer were in the starting XI for the Wolves.
The initial phase was uneventful. It was not until the tenth minute that Tai Baribo was able to pose a threat in front of the Graz goal for the first time. From the 20th minute, an open game developed with chances for both sides. In front of around 5,400 spectators, the WAC was awarded a hand penalty. However, Baribo was denied by the Graz goalkeeper Siebenhandl (21st minute). A little later, Prass failed to bring the ball to the Wolfsberg goal with his heel. The exchange of blows continued until Kerschbaumer scored from around 17 meters to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead. The equalizer came just before the break: Sarkaria pushed Höjlund’s low cross over the line.
»It was the first step in the right direction, although we were not perfect«
Robin Dutt, WAC-Trainer
After the change of sides, Schnegg had the lead for Graz on foot. But he failed because of WAC keeper Bonmann. Affengruber had to leave the field in the 72nd minute with a yellow card. The WAC pressed for the winning goal with a majority, but in the end the draw was no longer really in danger.
“It was a good early phase for us when we got our opponents into trouble. Unfortunately, we then missed the penalty, but then scored a great goal in a pressure phase. It was a bit wilder in the second half. It was the first step in the right direction, even though we didn’t make mistakes,” said WAC coach Dutt after the game.
Baumgartner’s future unclear
There is still uncertainty about the future of central defender Dominik Baumgartner. The WAC has an offer from Sturm Graz, as WAC President Dietmar Riegler revealed on Sky: “The request came from Sturm Graz for Dominik Baumgartner, but it was always clear to us that we could have a player like that, one of the best central defenders we won’t let it go so easily.« A change seems to be off the table for the WAC President: »There have been many discussions with Dominik. I think the topic is closed now.«
However, Baumgartner’s desire to change is still there, as the Lower Austrian admitted: “It would have been the next step for me, because it’s a bigger club in Austria than Wolfsberg. If anything else happens, I’ll be happy to take it with me, if not, I’ll give 100 percent at WAC this year and see what happens in the summer.” The central defender’s contract with WAC expires in summer 2023.
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