LASK celebrated a successful farewell: 3-1 against Austria

In the last home game, LASK performed the new dress for the first time – and it was inaugurated with a convincing performance over long stretches. Third place had already been fixed a week earlier, but the athletes were by no means slowing down as trainer Dietmar Kühbauer had promised.

The last game of the season in the Raiffeisen Arena was marked by separation immediately before kick-off: LASK said goodbye to captain Alexander Schlager, Marvin Potzmann, Jan Boller and Nemanja Celic, who will leave the club.

Only Potzmann was in the starting eleven because he stood in for the suspended Rene Renner – and after four minutes he was able to celebrate the 1-0. It was a perfect move against Austria’s press: the Viennese blocked all close pass options when goalkeeper Tobias Lawal accepted a back pass. Lawal played high into midfield to Robert Zulj, whose header was picked up by Florian Flecker and passed on to Keito Nakamura. The Japanese drove the ball to the penalty area and then deliberately shot it into the right corner. It was the 14th goal of the season for the 22-year-old, who continued to use it to promote himself. It should also have been the last home game for LASK for Nakamura – if the transfer fee is correct.

LASK continued to storm against an initially disoriented Austria, the attacks rolled in the direction of goalkeeper Christian Früchtl. Potzmann almost gave himself a parting gift, but his shot was blocked (18′). When Austria pressed for the first time, striker Haris Tabakovic finished after winning the ball, but the Swiss shot only grazed the side netting (22′). In return, Früchtl saved Austria from the second goal conceded when Zulj turned the ball.

• The live ticker for the game to read

Fitz equalized for Austria

Austria revealed many gaps on the defensive, but LASK was then less able to use them due to their own inaccuracies. LASK couldn’t save the momentum in the second half – and Austria equalized: Tabakovic’s shot in the five was blocked, Dominik Fitz used the rebound – 1: 1 (48th). After a three-minute VAR check because of a possible offside from Tabakovic, the Viennese were able to celebrate a second time.

Two LASK pole shots

The LASK understood this as a request and put the forward gear back on. Substitute Marin Ljubicic hit the post from a turn (64′), in the same wave of attacks Früchtl parried Sascha Horvath’s shot. Substitute Moses Usor also only hit aluminum (78th).

The centimeters that helped LASK in the other penalty area were missing: Filip Stojkovic’s arm prevented Austria from making it 2-1 when Tabakovic shot – but instead of a penalty, the decision after a VAR check was called offside.

When it was 2-1 for LASK, on ​​the other hand, everything went well with the interaction of two jokers: Thomas Goiginger played the ball into the penalty area at the perfect moment, Ljubicic gave Früchtl no chance from the left with a well-considered shot into the right corner (80th). It was the twelfth goal of the season for the Croatia U21 team player.

Usor met for the first time

The crowning glory was Usor’s first goal: the Nigerian only had to play Zuj’s next perfect assist over the goal line. Substituted Ibrahim Mustapha sprinted to celebrate with his recently hapless colleague.

The two goals were no longer decisive for LASK. 15,843 fans were in the stadium, those who supported the black and white were already in a party mood due to the strong season when they said goodbye. Austria, on the other hand, was hurt by the defeat: With one round to go, the Viennese are now only fifth, two points behind city rivals Rapid (3-2 at Sturm Graz). In the end, this would mean the season extension in the European Cup play-off.