Ten men claim goalless draw v GAK | OneFootball

Dramatic end to home stalemate

We had to share the points against GAK in the 12th ADMIRAL Bundesliga matchday. A red card for Joane Gadou (45') made things tough for us, but we still managed to step up a gear in the second period. Karim Konate even almost won it in stoppage time, only for an offside call to dash those hopes.

Match summary

There was scarce little offered by our boys in the opening stage. Just like in our home cup win on Wednesday, it took a while until we got into gear. The first real opening went to the passive visitors, with Dominik Frieser scoring a goal ruled out for offside.

Our charges were not able to burst a way through the Graz defensive ranks in the first period (failing to hit an effort on goal), despite patiently switching the ball around and continually probing.

There was one big moment still to come in the first-half, but it didn't help our chances. Joane Gadou dribbled his way forward and caught Satin on the ankle with a late challenge - the referee Julian Weinberger checked VAR and gave our youngster a red card (45').

Forced to go an entire period with a man down, our aim of taking a home win obviously looked more complicated, but we were determined to do all we could to make it happen. Just like a few days ago against WSG, our Red Bulls charged into the second period and continued to keep the ball moving around the GAK target, only for the final ball to be lacking.

Another half hour remained on the clock when the game lost its flow, with plenty of stoppages. The difficult evening was epitomised by our coach Pepijn Lijnders getting two yellow cards within a few seconds in the 79th minute and having to leave his coaching zone.

We did everything we could in the final phase to land a winning goal, while Rene Poms's side sought to hold onto a point. There was a dramatic end as Konate was sent through on goal in the final minute of stoppage time. The Ivorian turned the ball in at the second attempt on the rebound, but as Terzic had strayed offside, we were denied a winning goal.

We need to keep our chins up with another UEFA Champions League clash ahead. On Wednesday 6 November (21:00 CET) we go away to Feyenoord in the fourth matchday of the league phase – and we want points!

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Pepijn Lijnders

Line-up

Substitutions

Piatkowski for Daghim (46'), Morgalla for Capaldo (65'), Gloukh for Clark (71'), E. Baidoo for Nene (71'), Diambou for Bajcetic (86')

Yellow cards

Capaldo (48' foul), Clark (69' foul), Bajcetic (76' foul), Lijnders (79')

Red cards

Gadou (45' foul), Lijnders (79')

Injury news

Not available for the match were Hendry Blank (ill), Amar Dedic (adductors), Gaoussou Diakite (hip), Fernando (thigh), Lucas Gourna-Douath (ankle), Takumu Kawamura (knee), Maurits Kjaergaard (ankle), Bryan Okoh (thigh), Petar Ratkov (thigh) and Moussa Yeo (ankle).