They played 568 games for LASK – on Sunday Reinhold Ranftl, James Holland, Andreas Gruber and Marko Raguz are on the opponent’s side when the athletes are guests in the Bundesliga at Austria Vienna (5 p.m.). Is LASK better positioned with the successors?
James Holland: The Australian’s return to Austria was reportedly certain in the course of the spring – possibly that was the reason why coach Dietmar Kühbauer preferred the 33-year-old to Branko Jovicic and Hyun-seok Hong in the final games of the pre-season. LASK took Nemanja Celic, who was ten years younger, as the designated successor. The player from Linz is injured on Sunday and Peter Michorl is suspended.
Andrew Gruber: LASK wanted to keep the 27-year-old, but when the Austria offer came during the preparation, it was obvious that he wanted to accept it. Nevertheless, Kühbauer’s choice remained large. Robert Zulj, who may be on the bench for the first time on Sunday, could soon be seeded as a 10 and ousting Horvath on the wing.
Marco Raguz: In the end, there was a lack of mutual trust: After only eight Bundesliga games since November 2020, LASK was no longer able to align the team with the injured striker and let him go by 1.7 million euros, Eferdinger is now making a comeback with the Austria physiotherapists . With Marin Ljubicic and Efthymios Koulouris, LASK sports director Radovan Vujanovic brought in two potential successors. Ljubicic presented himself against Klagenfurt (3:1) with a goal and an assist.
Reinhold Ranftl: Reinhold Ranftl came to the Viennese via the Schalke detour. With 240 games, he will be the player with the most appearances for LASK on the field today. The 30-year-old wants to “find my old strengths again” with the Viennese. A return to LASK was never an issue: the athletes occupied the right position in defense with Filip Stojkovic from Rapid.
The master group in sight
As an Austria investor, the former black and white mastermind Jürgen Werner brought in four former LASK success guarantors with whom he had once negotiated the contracts with the athletes. Vujanovic prepared the athletes for a new chapter of success. Tomorrow’s duel will give an indication of which path leads to the desired champion group. Kühbauer: “We will have to show a very good game.” (like)
Source: Nachrichten
