Bottom of the league Admira Wacker travelled to third place LASK Linz in gameweek 7. Admira were off the back of two defeats, whilst LASK two wins, so it was a clash of teams in vastly different form. LASK lost striker Marko Raguz to an ACL injury recently, so were down on firepower which might have given Admira some hope.
Unfortunately, this hope did not last long as they went behind in the 16th minute directly from a corner and LASK went on to win the game comfortably, 4-0. The remaining three goals all came in the second half and all game from a similar route, getting in behind the Admira Left Back on the break before pulling the ball back across the box.
Admira played in a 4-3-3 and started the game sat deep, with the two wide forwards dropping into a midfield five. As the game wore on and started to drift away from them, they started to push forward and lost their shape completely resulting in a lot of space becoming available in behind for LASK to exploit. There was a significant difference in quality between the two teams that showed in the final scoreline and reflects their position in the league. Admira Wacker do have a young feel to their squad and in this game their front three were all under 23, so I decided to focus this report on them and how they worked together as a trio.
Ratings:
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, re-watch
- D – Below average in this match
Maximillian Breunig
Player profile:
- Nationality: German
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 14/08/2000
- Current club: Admira Wacker on loan from Ingolstadt
- Career: Wurzburger Kickers, Ingolstadt, Admira Wacker (L)
- Position: Centre Forward
- Preferred foot: Right
Breunig played as the centre forward and everything went through him. He was an aerial threat with his height and was also able to hold the ball up well. With Ganda and Hausjell looking to play off him and get in behind, Breunig’s key attributes were of great value to Admira. On a couple of occasions he was able to play both Hausjell and Ganda in, his connection with both of them seemed strong, particualry as the chances they had to get forward were limited due to LASK’s dominance in the game.
Breunig was also a threat from set pieces. He seemed to be the target and often favoured the run towards the front post, getting his head on the ball on numerous occasions, a flick on almost resulting in a goal in the first half as the ball flashed across the goal with nobody ready to turn the ball in.
Breunig didn’t press with a great deal of energy and didn’t display a great deal of dynamism, but with Ganda and Hausjell’s pace either side, this wasn’t a problem, and he was able to offer himself as an option centrally.
Breunig didn’t have many chances for himself during the game but when LASK dominated as much as they did, this wasn’t much of a surprise. But I was impressed with his general hold up play and the influence that he had on the team and therefore would be interested to see him in a game where Admira have more control.
Rating – B2
Josef Ganda
Player profile:
- Nationality: Israeli
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 10/03/1997
- Current club: Admira Wacker
- Career: Kiryat Shmona, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Augsburg (Y), Admira Wacker
- Position: Right Wing
- Secondary Position: Left Wing, Centre Forward
- Preferred foot: Left
Ganda played on the right of the three and certainly looked the liveliest of the three. The first thing that stood out to me was his ability to use both feet when carrying the ball, despite being predominately left footed.
Ganda also looked sharp without really causing too much threat until midway through the second half, on numerous occasions he picked the ball up deep and was able to bring the ball forward, usually then looking to find Breunig. His pace got him away from his man and allowed him to drive with the ball, unfortunately he rarely had the opportunity to do this too high up the pitch and cause serious threat to the LASK back line. Midway through the second half though he started on the right and made a great run across the line, picking up the ball skipping pass one before unleashing a shot across the keeper that thundered off the post, highlighting that he did pose that threat when higher up the pitch.
Something that was noticeable with Ganda was that he wanted the ball, he showed for it deep but also when the ball was on the left he found himself really drifting in centrally trying to occupy dangerous areas and play close to Breunig. He did look the better of the front three and he was the only one not to get replaced during the game.
Ganda did also work defensively well like Hausjell, he dropped in to form a five man midfield when Admira were defending, but you can tell that this isn’t his game and he does want to be higher up the pitch. Even if they were only glimpses there was something that stood out about Ganda and is definitely one I’d like to watch again soon.
Rating – B2
Marco Hausjell
Player profile:
- Nationality: Austrian
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 06/06/1999
- Current club: Admira Wacker
- Career: Admira Wacker, Horn (L)
- Position: Right Wing
- Secondary Position: Left Wing, Centre Forward
- Preferred foot: Right
Hausjell played the game on the left of the front 3. In the defensive phase, which Admira found themselves in a lot during the game he dropped deeper forming a 5-man midfield. He didn’t press, just sat in shape and occupied the space down the left. He showed good discipline in doing this although as the second half wore on he pushed further up and this discipline wore off, leaving space at the back which LASK exploited on numerous occasions for their goals.
Hausjell didn’t have the busiest of games in an attacking phase. The way Admira operated Hausjell looked to get in behind and play off and beyond of Maximillian Breunig. With this he got in behind well towards the end of the first half, he approached the corner of the box and had the perfect opportunity to square it to Breunig for a tap in, instead he took the shot on himself and dragged it wide terribly. Hausjell’s limited adventures in to the LASK final third ended in similar ways throughout the second half, his decision making was poor and scuppered any chances Admira had at getting back in the game or scoring a consolation.
Hausjell did display a lot of energy, getting back in position in the defensive phase or looking to break forward and get in behind in the attacking phase, however this did start to wain and he was taken off in the 80th minute. Hausjell also appeared to have a good turn of pace, which he displayed to get in the strong position in the first half, this pace was also still there when he was carrying the ball which was impressive.
It was a largely quiet game for Hausjell, he showed promising signs with his work rate and pace but his decision making has a lot of room for improvement.
Rating – C