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Today is getting serious. LASK kicks off the Bundesliga with the home game against Austria Wien (Linz Stadium, 8.30pm, live on Sky Sport Austria HD 1). “We can hardly wait,” LASK tower defense Petar Filipovic said before kickoff.
The preparation lasted 49 days and was very different than usual. After twelve days, LASK played in the Europa League against Manchester United (1: 2), most recently the national players were missing. If it is often said before the start of the season that you only know where you are after the first lap, this time it is especially true. “We are ready,” says coach Dominik Thalhammer confidently. “We are confident. We are calm because we know that we are very well prepared.”
After the final whistle, he and his technical team will assess whether it is true, with entirely new means. “How many passes can Austria play, for example? How often do we get into the penalty area? There is a lot of measurement data that is important for us to analyze the game not just from the gut, but with facts,” Thalhammer explained.
In the end, however, the points count. There should be so many that LASK “remains a stable factor among the best teams in Austria. The aim is to be in the top four. It would not make sense to set a target lower than in previous seasons.”
New face of Austria
Austria’s rival is different from last season: Peter Stöger took over as coach, the squad has changed. LASK watched all the Vienna games. “We think we know a lot,” Thalhammer said. “This gives us a clear plan for our game.” And if this doesn’t work, LASK worked on alternatives in preparation. The results of the test matches (three losses, one draw) do not worry Thalhammer at all. “If you invest a lot in something, the production is not always immediately visible. I am convinced that we will get the power on the road against Austria.”
Article of
Günther Mayrhofer
