A Weekend Full of Drama

Transfer Dispute, Rapid’s Dominant Performance, and Austria’s Relief

Tonni Adamsen (left) scored four goals. Meanwhile, a fierce transfer dispute has erupted over Altach’s Yann Massombo (right).(Bild: Krone-Collage/APA/MAX SLOVENCIK, GEPA)

An exciting weekend in the Austrian Bundesliga. While Rapid celebrated its biggest league win in nearly 41 years and Austria enjoyed a much-needed 2-0 victory over Hartberg, a fierce transfer dispute has erupted between Sturm Graz and Altach. Here’s an overview.

SK Rapid shot its way to the top of the Austrian Bundesliga standings with a rout. On Sunday in Hütteldorf, the Viennese team crushed GAK 8-0 (5-0) and displaced defending champion LASK—which was tied on points—from first place. For the unstoppable Hütteldorf side, it was a day of celebration on the field. 

The highest-scoring victories in the ÖFB Bundesliga, which has been in existence since 1974

• 11–1 Rapid – GAK (June 22, 1977)
• 10–0 Rapid – GAK (September 27, 1985 / away)
• 9–0 Austria – SV Mattersburg (April 23, 2016 / away)
  9–0 Austria vs. SW Bregenz (August 22, 2004 / away)
  9–0 Wacker Innsbruck – Austria Salzburg (May 22, 1982)
• 8–0 Rapid – GAK (August 16, 2026)
  8–0 RB Salzburg – Admira Wacker (October 17, 2015)
  8–0 Red Bull Salzburg – SV Grödig (August 10, 2014)
  8–0 Rapid – Neusiedl (April 21, 1984)
  8–0 Austria Vienna – Neusiedl (June 25, 1983)

Not only was this the eighth win in eight competitive matches this season for coach Johannes Hoff Thorup’s team—it was also the team’s biggest league victory in nearly 41 years. On September 27, 1985, they celebrated a 10–0 victory—back then, too, the opponent was GAK. 

Relief for Austria and Drama in Styria
Meanwhile, their archrival also had reason to celebrate a redeeming weekend. Austria secured its first victory in its third league match. The “Violets” defeated Hartberg 2–0, thereby avoiding a complete league debacle after all. 

This was an especially important win in light of the upcoming Conference League qualifying playoff match against Portuguese club Braga on Thursday (starting at 9 p.m. on the sportkrone.at live ticker). “We’re not afraid—we’re really fired up,” said goal-scorer Julian Hettwer, clearly motivated after the win against Hartberg. 

For Styria, however, it wasn’t a good Sunday. While GAK was soundly defeated by Rapid and struggled to find explanations after the match, Hartberg remained the only club without a point following its loss to Austria. “At some point, you have to start rewarding yourself, and we’re not doing that,” said an exasperated coach Markus Schopp.

Commotion Over Massombo
At least Sturm Graz was able to celebrate a 1-0 victory over Altach, keeping three points in Styria. However, the on-field matchup took a back seat this weekend, as a fierce transfer dispute has erupted between the two clubs. At the center of it all: Altach player Yann Massombo.

Yann Massombo(Bild: GEPA)

The Altach player, who is being courted by Sturm, had refused to travel to Graz on Friday. Altach’s anger is directed at Sturm coach Fabio Ingolitsch, who had contacted Massombo. Now the Vorarlberg club is considering “further steps.”

“SCR Altach has taken note of the statements made by the SK Sturm Graz coach after yesterday’s game. These confirm that SK Sturm Graz made contact with player Yann Massombo. Furthermore, there are additional facts that corroborate this. Against this backdrop, the club feels compelled to consider further steps,” an Altach press release stated on Sunday. The release also noted that the player has a valid contract through 2027, with an option for a one-year extension.

Sturm Awaits Clarification “Calmly”
Altach stated that the club was never informed of any ongoing discussions. According to ÖFB regulations, an interested club must demonstrably inform the player’s current club before entering into contract negotiations with the player. It is questionable, however, whether a casual contact initiated by the coach already constitutes a contract negotiation.

Sturm Coach Fabio Ingolitsch(Bild: GEPA)

Sturm stated on Sunday that it is in direct communication with Altach at the executive level. “We are reviewing all events of the past few days once again—as our duty of care requires—but remain absolutely convinced that no representative of SK Sturm has done anything unlawful,” a club spokesperson stated. “We are therefore looking forward to the resolution of this situation with confidence.” The case, however, will continue to cause unrest.