Bundesliga: LASK starts with a win over Austria

LASK had more of the game visually, but was only able to play a few chances against brave Austrian players. The decisive goal of the game was scored by Andreas Gruber, who beat Austrian goalkeeper Patrick Pentz shortly before half-time after a free kick by Peter Michorl with a header (43.).

Unlike LASK coach Thalhammer, Peter Stöger experienced a failed return to the “Veilchen” coaching bench. The former Austrian champion, who in addition to his role as sporting director this season also acts as a coach, had already slowed expectations in his younger squad before the game, but could expect a brave appearance from his team, especially in the second half. . .

Stöger trusts youth

Around 4,000 spectators came to the Gugl, more than 6,000 would have had space this week in times of coronavirus. There were hardly any new faces on either side of the lawn. Only at LASK was a new one with former Mattersburger Gruber. In Austria, the brought Markus Suttner had to go through muscular problems. Another veteran, Alexander Grünwald, simply sat on the bench. Stöger relied on his young offensive forces, who went to work energetically at first.

After an intensive start at high speed, LASK developed clear advantages and significantly more ball possession minute by minute. The speedy Hussein Balic presented big problems for the Austrian defense. Stephan Zwierschitz saved after a cross pass from Ranftl from the winger who was ready to shoot (14th), then a close from Balic scratched the outside post (22nd).

The newcomer attacks shortly before the break

The Viennese lacked relief attacks, they quickly found themselves in danger. As always, LASK was extremely dangerous in their standard situations: Patrick Pentz turned a Trauner header over the crossbar (29th). Austria could have reversed the course of the game, but Christoph Monschein’s (35th) shot after a counterattack was too central. LASK player James Holland had to leave the field shortly after.

When the guests were allowed to speculate on a number zero for the break, the Linzers attacked. Peter Michorl’s free kick was extended by Gruber’s head, Pentz could no longer deflect the ball decisively.

Austria final offensive without reward

After the break, the teams returned unchanged. At the beginning of LASK, there was little lack of concentration. For Austria suddenly a counter-opportunity was opened in excess, but the decisive pass did not arrive. Soon after, the public was presented with the usual image again, at a slower pace, of course.

LASK had a preliminary decision, but the Viennese spoiled everything. After an hour, Stöger brought in new forces with Grünwald and newcomer Georg Teigl. In the end, the Viennese almost took a point with them: LASK goalkeeper Alexander Schlager was on point with a shot from Monschein (85th), seconds later forward Maudo Jarjue headed over the gate from a few meters. LASK will now visit WSG Tirol next week, Austria welcomes newcomer Ried home.

Voices for the game:

Dominik Thalhammer (LASK Coach): “We entered the game very calmly because we knew we were well prepared. We had very good control of the game in the first half and we could have decided the game earlier. In the end we had problems. We know we can do better. But it takes a load off our hearts after what happened last season. The team can do much, much more. “

Andreas Gruber (LASK scorer): “I think we did extremely good team performance today. We showed from the first minute that we wanted to leave the field as winners. The aim is for us to annoy Salzburg and everyone in front and continually play in the top four. It was a great game with today’s spectators. “

Peter Stöger (Manager Austria): “We could have taken more advantage of our changing situations. We could have solved them better. We also allow too many standards from our opponents in the first half. We were not as involved, nor as brave as we would have liked. We are at the beginning of a development, I saw several things that were good. LASK has shown that it is rightly number two or three in Austria. “

Typical Bundesliga, 1st round

Friday:

LASK – Austria Vienna 1: 0 (1: 0)

Linz City Stadium, 4,000 spectators, SR Gishamer

Goal: 1-0 (43rd) Gruber

LASK: Schlager – Wiesinger, Trauner, Filipovic (77./Andrade) – Ranftl, Netherlands (36./Grgic), Michorl, Renner – Gruber (71./Reiter), Raguz, Balic

Austria: Pentz – Zwierschitz, Jarjue, Madl, Martschinko (62./Teigl) – Wimmer (80./Edomwonyi), Ebner (80./Jukic), Pichler – Sax (62./Grünwald), Sarkaria – Monschein

Yellow cards: Renner, Wiesinger, Michorl or Zwierschitz, Sax

The best: Balic, Trauner or Madl, Jarjue