At LASK there was a winner yesterday before the kick-off of the round of 16 first leg in the Europa Conference League at Slavia Prague: Oumar Sako was there for the first time. With the 25-year-old Ivorian, the athletes have an additional alternative – but also one more problem.
Whether the defender makes it back into the squad again on Sunday for the start of the Bundesliga qualifying group against Tirol (2.30 p.m.), as in yesterday’s game (ongoing when this edition goes to press), does not depend solely on his performance. In Prague there were six other legionnaires with James Holland, Jan Boller, Hyun-seok Hong, Filip Twardzik, Keito Nakamura and Yannis Letard – in the Bundesliga there can only be six if LASK wants to grab the Austrian pot. Because Branko Jovicic, who was not eligible to play yesterday, will probably return against Tyrol, two legionnaires have to go to the stands as soon as Petar Filipovic is operational again, even three.
600,000 euros for Ried
Almost five million euros from the TV money will be distributed to the clubs that meet the requirements – divided into three phases: the first ran up to the eleventh round, the second until the end of the regular season, at the end of the season the third time will be settled. Only champions Salzburg traditionally ignore this and deploy the 25 legionnaires in the squad as they please.
Ried can count on 600,000 euros from the Austrian pot, with LASK it will be a little less. For comparison: Each of the five victories of the Black and Whites in the Europa Conference League was worth 500,000 euros.
Despite the nine legionnaires in the squad, LASK has always met the requirements – and will continue to do so. Coach Andreas Wieland will have to decide from game to game which six he takes in the squad. Wieland didn’t have to think about it in the fall, with Sako, Twardzik and Jovicic three legionnaires were added during the winter break.
Nakamura can dodge
Injuries have made the nomination easier so far. Filipovic was last operational in October, Sako underwent knee surgery after his transfer – not urgently necessary, but useful in the long term. Because the defense giant was committed in winter as an investment for the future. But he can only get used to the playing style of LASK if he is used. This is in question because of the competition. For example, Nakamura was the last player against Salzburg (0-0) and had to take a seat in the stands. The Japanese only had a Leiberl against Wolfsberg last Sunday because Jovicic was injured.
As a cooperation player, Nakamura could help FC Juniors Oberösterreich to stay up in the league, Boller would also be eligible to play, but is out of the question as a LASK regular. With Adam Griger, Metehan Altunbas, Fredy Valencia and Ibrahima Drame, four other legionnaires who are registered with LASK are on the ball with the second division team.
The LASK Legionnaires
125 legionnaires are on the ball in the Bundesliga. Most are under contract with champions Salzburg (25), followed by promoted Klagenfurt (18). Rapid and Altach each get along with just six. The LASK legionnaires and their assignments in the current Bundesliga season:
Jan Boller (21 years old) Germany
17 games | 1435 minutes
James Holland (32) Australia
15 games | 1121 minutes
Hyun-seok Hong (22) South Korea
16 games | 799 minutes
Petar Filipovic (31) Croatia
8 games | 628 minutes
Keito Nakamura (21) Japan
12 games | 415 minutes
Yannis Letard (23) France
8 games | 209 minutes
Filip Twardzik (29) Czech Republic
3 games | 199 minutes
Branko Jovicic (28) Serbia
3 games | 143 minutes
Oumar Sako (25) Ivory Coast
0 games
Exile viewer record in St. Pölten is safe
Klagenfurt is over, on Thursday St. Pölten is LASK’s new exile in the Europa Conference League. In the second leg of the round of 16, Slavia Prague inaugurates the alternative home (9 p.m.).
The NV Arena has 8000 seats. These will probably also be occupied on Thursday – if not by LASK fans, then by the opponent’s supporters. Tickets are on sale. In any case, there will finally be a mood at a LASK home game in the European Cup. Because in Klagenfurt she had been disconsolate. In the two “home games” of qualification against Vojvodina Novi Sad (6:1) and St. Johnstone (1:1) and in the group stage against Maccabi Tel Aviv (1:1), Alashkert (2:0) and HJK Helsinki ( 3:0) not a thousand cheered on the athletes.
Source: Nachrichten
