Lustenau After Home Thrashing: "Tiki-Taka Doesn't Work!"

SC Austria Lustenau suffered its first harsh setback of the Bundesliga season on Friday evening. In front of their home fans, the promoted side was handed a 0-4 thrashing by WSG Tirol (Match report >>>).

After feeling last weekend that even more could have been achieved in the draw against Sturm Graz, there was now a harsh reality check.

Coach Markus Mader also saw it that way on "Sky": "Expectations were very high due to the previous matches because we performed well there." But when things don't go as imagined, the limits are quickly exposed.

No Panic Despite "Really Bad" Performance

They didn't start the match badly, having everything under control in the first 25 minutes.

"But then we deviated from the game plan in that we built up play with the ball incorrectly. We suddenly played Tiki-Taka, combining out from the back with one touch – and that doesn't work, then you lose possession," said the coach.

The players echoed the sentiment. For captain Dion Kacuri, there were good phases, but everything felt a bit half-hearted. Danilo Soares stated that they hadn't implemented the coach's plan well.

"The opponent did well and exploited our open spaces effectively, but we also played really badly," said the Brazilian defender.

Nevertheless, there's no panic in Lustenau after the defeat; losses are part of development, and that's where one learns the most.

"We will review this and see where we need to make adjustments so that we don't fall into such a slump again," Mader said confidently.

Semlic Puts the Brakes on Euphoria

Naturally, the mood was different at WSG Tirol, who climbed out of last place with their first win of the season.

Nevertheless, coach Philipp Semlic warned against excessive euphoria in Wattens: "I want to keep things in perspective. It was a good performance, but in the end, you only get three points."

He stated that they are still in a development process to further evolve last season's playing style, and that simply takes time.

Nevertheless, the victory was liberating and well-deserved, and they got into the game better and better. "We were good with the ball, but the most important thing is that we were good against the ball, which must be our foundation. I am very pleased that we kept a clean sheet today, because that is always the basis for success," said Semlic.

Individual Highlights for Striednig and Oswald

The evening was not only pleasing for the team itself; individual highlights were also experienced. New signing Marc Striednig, who arrived from Liefering, scored his first Bundesliga goal with the strike that made it 3-0.

"It's an incredible feeling to score my first goal in my third game and then top it off with a win. We were brave with the ball and played well going forward, while also making the opponent run, and we were efficient," said the 20-year-old, fully satisfied.

And for Rapid loanee Moritz Oswald, it was also a great evening; after all, he was only introduced at WSG on Monday and then immediately started.

What was important for him was simply to get playing time in a familiar environment. "I am overjoyed that I get to play again for the first time in what feels like a month." And if the game then ends 4-0, it's all the more pleasing.