6 Austria Memphis 1980
History was made when Austrian champions Austria Vienna came to Pittodrie in 1980.
It was the Dons first ever European Champions Cup tie. Aberdeen continued building their growing reputation in European football with a vital 1-0 win.
A first half goal from Mark McGhee in 31 minutes was enough to separate the sides as the Dons went to Vienna and closed out the tie with an impressive defensive performance.
In the first clash, the Dons were perhaps fortunate to keep the lively Austrians out as their quick incisive attacks caused problems.
Main culprit was Austrian international Walter Schachner who missed two great chances. McGhee took advantage of a loose ball in the box to steer the ball past Koncilia to give Aberdeen the lead.
The Dons pressed in the second half and were unlucky not to add to their lead.
An Alex McLeish header came back off the bar as the Austrians were pushed back for long spells.
Manager Alex Ferguson was happy enough at full time;
“I was looking to take any lead to Vienna for the return. The fact we didn’t concede was vital; they will need to come at us more over there so that will suit us.”.
Austria Vienna were known back in 1980 as Austria Memphis. The Dons would go through 1-0 on aggregate to book a meeting with Liverpool.
It is a victory that should not be over looked, not just because it the was Dons first ever victory in the Champions Cup, but also due to the pedigree of the opposition at that time.
Austria Wien as they are also known, reached the 1978 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, which they lost 4–0 to Belgian club Anderlecht.
The following season, the club reached the semi-finals of the European Cup, losing 1–0 on aggregate to Swedish team Malmö FF, who in turn would lose to Nottingham Forrest in the final. In 1982–83, Austria Vienna reached the semi-finals of the Cup Winners’ Cup after knocking out Spanish giants Barcelona, but lost 5–3 on aggregate to fellow Spanish side Real Madrid, who in turn would lose the final in Gothenburg to a certain outfit from the North-east of Scotland …..
OCTOBER 1980The Aberdeen players board a plane ahead of their European Cup tie with Austria Vienna.
OCTOBER 1980The Aberdeen players board a plane ahead of their European Cup tie with Austria Vienna.
AFC Heritage Trust | match stats click here
AFC Heritage Trust | match stats click here
