

SV Ried Dominant Against Rot-Weiss Essen in International Friendly
SV Ried sent a clear statement of intent with a commanding 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen in an international club friendly on July 17, 2026. The Austrian side controlled proceedings from start to finish at their home venue, with the match kicking off at 23:00 local time.
The friendly offered both teams a chance to test their systems ahead of the new season. Ried, competing in the Austrian 2. Liga, looked sharp and organized, while Rot-Weiss Essen of the German Regionalliga struggled to impose themselves.
Early Breakthrough
SV Ried took the lead in the 14th minute. A well-rehearsed set piece saw defender Philipp Posch rise highest to head in from a corner. The goal settled any early nerves and allowed Ried to dictate the tempo.
Clinical Second Half
The home side doubled their lead just after the restart. Striker Julian Seidl latched onto a through ball and finished calmly past the Essen goalkeeper. Ried sealed the victory in the 75th minute when substitute Maximilian Ulmer volleyed home from the edge of the box, capping a flowing team move.
Standout Aspects
- Defensive solidity: Ried's backline, led by captain Markus Lackner, kept a clean sheet and limited Essen to long-range efforts.
- Midfield control: The duo of Lukas Grgic and Felix Kerber dominated possession and transitioned quickly.
- Depth on show: Ried used five substitutes, all of whom maintained the high level of performance.
Season Preparation
This victory extends SV Ried's unbeaten run in pre-season friendlies to four matches. They look well prepared for the upcoming Austrian 2. Liga campaign. Rot-Weiss Essen will have positives to take from their defensive organization in spells, but they will need to improve their attacking output before the Regionalliga season kicks off.