Balic: “It’s extra motivation that it’s against LASK”

Last Sunday, the 26-year-old defended the 1-0 win against Klagenfurt with LASK in the quarter-finals of the cup, and the following day his loan to Vorarlberg became official. “It’s definitely extra motivation that we’re going against LASK in the first game,” said Balic. “I still go into the game like any other – full throttle. There’s not that much of a difference then.”

Altach coach Miroslav Klose left it open whether he has a starting eleven. He only explained yesterday that Balic is ‘fully fit and able to play’. However, the German still saw a deficit among his competitors, including AC Milan loanee Marko Lazetic.

“I am extremely happy”

Balic can’t wait for his debut: “I’m really looking forward to the second half of the season and all the games that are ahead of us.” In these he hopes to have more playing time than in the autumn at LASK: Slowed down by injuries, the winger only had 313 competitive minutes. In Altach he wants to pick up the pace again – and preferably kiss his wedding ring on Sunday: With this gesture he celebrates his goals. The last two so far came in May in the last Bundesliga round of the previous season against Admira (3:1).

For Balic it is initially about points against relegation, LASK wants to take another step towards the master group in Altach. Coach Dietmar Kühbauer: “Altach played really good football last fall. I don’t attach too much importance to tenth place in the table.”