Even under neo-trainer Dietmar Kühbauer, LASK is still looking for success in the qualifying group of the Bundesliga. When the ex-Rapid coach made his debut, Linz had to settle for a 3:3 (2:2) draw against Hartberg in Pasching on Saturday.
In the table, LASK is three points behind WSG Tirol in second place and is currently in the targeted European Cup play-off. Hartberg and Admira are only a point behind, while Ried is two points behind Linz before the Upper Austrian derby next weekend. Keito Nakamura tied a brace for LASK (12′, 25′), and Thomas Goiginger (52′) also scored. On Hartberg’s side, Okan Aydin (22′), Noel Niemann (28′) and Donis Avdijaj (83′) were successful.
No personal surprises
Kühbauer refrained from surprises in terms of personnel, relying on the back four, where Jan Boller and Marvin Potzmann returned. In the offensive, Goiginger started again compared to the recent 0:4 against WSG Tirol. In view of the recent successes, TSV coach Klaus Schmidt counted on a virtually unchanged eleven, only Michael Steinwender replaced the suspended Manfred Gollner.
The not friction-free past between LASK and Kühbauer was not reflected in the stands, the mood in Pasching was good – and after 12 minutes it was already brilliant: Nakamura had the dominant Linz initial phase after a cross from Marvin Potzmann from a few meters with the 1 :0 crowned.
LASK immediately countered the 1:1 by Aydin after the first counterattack played by the guests with the new lead. Nakamura, who was played in front of the penalty area, made room with a turn and shot from 20 meters unstoppable for Rene Swete. But Hartberg struck back just as quickly. As with the first goal, it was easy and quick, the defense acted unsorted again when Niemann, who was all alone, headed the ball.
While LASK acted complacently but rather harmlessly thanks to the clear increase in ball possession, Hartberg’s moments of switching and thus moments of shock for the athletes remained. Just like just before the break, when Tobias Kainz failed alone in front of Schlager (43rd).
Shortly after the break, a curious hit supposedly paved the way to LASK victory. After a free kick, the ball bounced off Goiginger’s back and into the goal, a possible hand from James Holland involved played no role after a VAR consultation. A little later, Nakamura aimed just wide of the far post (60′) and hit the ball on the crossbar just two minutes later.
That should pay off. The hosts had the game under much better control, hardly allowed any more counterattacks and seemed to bring victory home. If there hadn’t been another “deadly” counterattack by the Styrians. “Joker” Seth Paintsil only failed because of goalie Alexander Schlager. Because Petar Filipovic could no longer safely clear the ball on the line, Avdijaj dusted off.
In stoppage time, Horvath would have had the three-pointer after Aydin fouled Hong Hyun-seok, but failed to hit the crossbar.
Ried: Relegation not yet secured
SCR Altach won a point in the basement duel against SV Ried, but this could still be too little in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga. The Vorarlbergers separated on Saturday against the Innviertler 1:1 (0:1), the team of coach Ludovic Magnin is four points behind the saving bank in the qualification group two rounds before the end of the season. Meanwhile, Rieder, still penultimate, failed to secure relegation.
After the lost cup final against series champions Salzburg (0:3), striker Ante Bajic made Christian Heinle’s team celebrate with his ninth goal of the season in the 38th minute. The Altachers managed to equalize through Christoph Monschein (71st). The Magnin-Elf still have to score well next week at Admira and at the end of the season against Wattens in order to still have a chance of staying up in the league.
The 7,517 spectators in Altach, who all received free tickets, saw a lively game in the early stages. Both teams tried to find playful solutions. Altach found the better chances: first Bakary Nimaga failed to get a sharp Stangl pass from Monschein on goal (16′), then Monschein failed from a brilliant position (31′). The strong Ried defender Tin Plavotic rushed to the rescue.
The lead in front of the eyes of former Gladbach sports director Max Eberl was then achieved by the guests from the Innviertel, who had to do without captain Marcel Ziegl, who was suspended. Nene ideally lobbed the ball into Bajic’s run, who arched the ball into the goal just in front of Altach goalie Tino Casali. After the change of sides, the Altacher pressed for the equalizer.
After an hour, Johannes Tartarotti failed from close range, but before that team-mate Atdhe Nuhiu had been ruled offside. Ten minutes later, however, the ball was in the net: Nuhiu extended a corner to the second post, where Monschein coldly hit the bar from close range. However, the winning goal did not want to succeed in the final phase. In added time, Ried goalie Samuel Sahin-Radlinger defused two big chances from Nosa Iyobosa Edokpolor and Pape Ndiaye.
Source: Nachrichten
