Austria Vienna defeated, CSKA Sofia and Katowice complete comebacks
Beitar Jerusalem's opponent suffered a 3:0 defeat to Wolfsberger in the Austrian league opener, while the Tel Aviv rivals' opponents came back from a deficit to win ahead of Thursday's matches.
Some of the Austria Vienna players stated in recent days that the league is their priority and that the Conference League qualifiers are just a bonus, contrary to the coach's statement. This evening (Sunday), the team was defeated 3:0 away against Wolfsberger in the opening round of the Austrian league, four days before the meeting with Beitar Jerusalem in Romania (Thursday, 20:30, Sport 3).
Giacomo Vrioni scored a brace from penalties in the 18th and 63rd minutes, and Aron Schwartz added one in the 49th minute. Another goal by Donis Avdijaj in the 21st minute was disallowed after a VAR check due to a foul during the play. Wolfsberger controlled the match, and Austria Vienna struggled to create chances, only reaching their best opportunity in the final minutes. Thus, Beitar's opponent finished with a disappointing dress rehearsal.
In Bulgaria, CSKA Sofia, which will host Maccabi Tel Aviv in Batumi on Thursday (19:00, Sport 1), completed a comeback and won 2:1 at home against Dunav Ruse in the third round. Radoslav Apostolov scored a surprise lead goal for the visitors, but the hosts turned it around thanks to goals by Joel Zwarts in the 17th minute and Facundo Rodriguez in the 79th minute. The Bulgarian Cup holder raised its tally to seven points.
In Poland, a comeback was also recorded. Katowice, Hapoel Tel Aviv's opponent on Thursday (21:00, Sport 2), won 3:1 against Radomiak. Ibrahima Camara put the visitors ahead in the 37th minute, but an own goal by Abdoul Tapsoba in the 58th minute leveled the score. Former Maccabi Petah Tikva player Ilya Shkurin completed the comeback in the 66th minute, and in the 90+3rd minute, he assisted Bartosz Nowak, who sealed the result and gave Katowice their first league win of the season.
