Austria Vienna (Am) vs SV Lafnitz

Despite heavy rain and thunderstorms sweeping across the Generali-Arena, the Young Violets — the reserve side of FK Austria Wien, competing in the 2. Liga — started purposefully. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Bruno Jerabek stepped up to a free kick just outside the box and curled it directly into the left corner, leaving the Lafnitz goalkeeper with no chance.

The visitors from Styria responded with a spell of pressure around the half-hour mark, but goalkeeper Stefan Blažević was not forced into a serious save. The Young Violets doubled their lead six minutes before half-time: Julian Roider delivered from the left flank to find Marco Hausjell, who finished first-time to make it 2-0 at the break.

At half-time, the club farewelled Fabian Janković, who had spent nearly 15 years wearing the violet shirt across every youth level before departing.

The Young Violets made a near-complete XI change on 66 minutes — coach Maximilian Uhlig replacing all ten outfield players in one go. The reshuffle disrupted the rhythm briefly, but the fresh legs soon took control. Ilya Menshykov, introduced in that wave of substitutions, turned the game decisively in the home side's favour.

Ilya Menshykov — The substitute was the game's defining presence. In the 75th minute, he beat two defenders in midfield, drove at goal and slotted home for 3-0. Four minutes later, he turned provider, racing down the right and pulling the ball back for Romeo Mörth to tap in at the far post. Menshykov completed his brace in the 81st minute, rounding off a 5-0 scoreline that had been built in just six second-half minutes.

Bruno Jerabek — Opened the scoring with a finely struck free kick and was a creative hub from his central midfield role in the first half.

Marco Hausjell — The striker's well-timed run and finish for the second goal gave the Young Violets control before the interval.

Player of the Match: Ilya Menshykov (2 goals, 1 assist in 15 minutes)

The 5-0 scoreline reflected a dominant display, but the timing of the goals tells the story: two in the first half established control, then three in a six-minute burst (75', 79', 81') after the wholesale changes broke the game open. The first-half lineup that included Dominik Nišandžić — fresh from first-team involvement with FK Austria Wien — laid the platform, while the second-half XI accelerated the margin.

This was the Young Violets' fourth pre-season friendly and their first win of the summer, following a 3-1 loss to Mattersburg, a 1-1 draw with SR Donaufeld, and a 2-0 defeat to Parndorf. SV Lafnitz, who play in the Regionalliga Süd (third tier), were unable to create clear scoring chances against a disciplined Young Violets defence.

The Young Violets conclude their pre-season programme on 24 July at home against Ried II (17:00, Austria-Akademie) before opening their 2. Liga campaign at home to FC Blau Weiss Linz on 31 July.

A thoroughly professional pre-season performance from the Young Violets, who used a deep squad rotation to maximum effect. Menshykov's cameo off the bench will give coach Uhlig a selection headache — and the kind of depth that bodes well for the 2. Liga season ahead.