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The 25-year-old forward scored after a goalless first half in the 50s and 60s on the preliminary decision for Linz. James Holland finally pinned all hopes of a comeback for the Carinthians in the 79th minute and sealed a well-deserved victory. The win at Wolfsberg also meant the first LASK points in 2021 after the home loss at the outset. For the seventh time this season, the Linz side also left without conceding a goal.
With the eighth victory of the season, LASK leaders Red Bull Salzburg and first rivals Rapid Wien and Puntigamer Sturm Graz are on their heels. Linz is four points behind the leader, Rapid and Sturm are three or one point behind.
The Wolfsberger, however, remained harmless on offense and thus also in the third game in 2021 without a goal. After the two 0-0 addendum against Sturm Graz and TSV Hartberg, there was no point gain in the third consecutive home appearance. This means that it will be difficult for the sixteen finalists of the Europa League in the battle for a place in the top six, the advantage over the seventh Austria Wien is only one point.
LASK dominates from the start
The Linzers were most active at the Lavanttal Arena early on and dominated the action. After the opening half chances, it was really dangerous for the first time in the 26th minute. Gruber still hadn’t adjusted his visor well enough on a 20-meter close. Five minutes later, WAC goalkeeper Alexander Kofler had to excel for the first time with a shot from Ranftl. The home team was in no danger of scoring, LASK goalkeeper Alexander Schlager was underemployed.
After the restart, the guests quickly laid the foundation for victory. In the 50th minute, Linz’s team changed in an instant, and Gruber, served up by an ideal hole pass from Gernot Trauner, passed Kofler and hit the corner from a sharp angle. Ten minutes later, Carinthians could not get away with a throw-in, the ball indirectly landing on Gruber, who returned coldly from close range.
Almost the own goal almost creates tension
The Linzers then controlled the action, but it almost got exciting again. Andrés Andrade was about to head into an own goal that Schlager avoided with a save. The ÖFB team’s goal a few seconds later saved a header from Baumgartner in a desperate situation (74th each). Five minutes later, the Netherlands flew the ball to a corner from 13 meters after Carinthians had not taken it out of the danger zone.
In the 85th minute, the experienced Australian nearly hit twice as his teammate Gruber, but in this situation the bar rose to save the WAC and avoid an even clearer rejection. Linz’s team will continue on Sunday in Pasching against the second Rapid, the very weak WAC will compete at the eighth St. Pölten, just two points away.
Typical Bundesliga, matchday 14
Wednesday:
WAC – LASK 0: 3 (0: 0)
Wolfsberg, Lavanttal-Arena, SR Harkam
Tore:
0: 1 Gruber (50.)
0: 2 Gruber (60.)
0: 3 Netherlands (79.)
WAC: Kofler – Novak, Baumgartner, Lochoshvili, Scherzer – Taferner (58 ° Dieng), M. Leitgeb (73 ° Wernitznig), Liendl, Sprangler (58 ° Stratznig) – Joveljic, Vizinger (54 ° Röcher)
LASK: Schlager – Wiesinger, Trauner, Andrade – Ranftl, The Netherlands (88 ° Madsen), Michorl, Renner – Gruber (72 ° rider), Eggestein, Goiginger (57 ° Balic)
Yellow cards: Sprangler, M. Leitgeb and Ranftl
Best: none or Gruber, Trauner, Holland
