Solet and Pavlovic

These defensive towers withstand almost every attack

Oumar Solet and Strahinja Pavlovic form the best central defense in the Austrian Bundesliga.(Bild: Andreas Tröster, Krone Kreativ)

Strahinja Pavlovic and Oumar Solet form the best central defense in the Austrian Bundesliga. On Saturday (17), the duo could set the next best mark at LASK and extend their incredible record. 

These figures are impressive! Since the 2022/23 season, Strahinja Pavlovic and Oumar Solet have played together 28 times in the Bundesliga. That's a total of 2,230 minutes. The center-back duo conceded just 15 goals, i.e. significantly less than one per game. To date, there has not been a single defeat in the Austrian top flight when the two towers have been on the pitch together. Which definitely makes the French-Serbian duo the best defensive pairing in recent years. 

"We know what we have in them. They have a lot of tackling quality and are very dynamic on the ball," says coach Gerhard Struber, praising his showpiece in defense. But it also gives the Kuchler a few palpitations. Both have a penchant for offensive (harakiri) actions and can't be held back for the entire match. "They get involved in the game. You just have to keep everything in the right balance to avoid getting caught on the counter-attack," said Struber. 

Alexander Schlager (right) and Gerhard Struber know what they have on the defensive strikers.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

On Saturday (17, live on Sky), Pavlovic, Solet and Co. will once again be on the hunt for their own record at LASK. Namely, the record for the fewest goals conceded after the basic round - they only conceded 13 in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. If the champions play to nil against the Upper Austrians, their own record will be lowered by one to twelve.

We know what we have in them. They have a lot of quality in tackles and are very dynamic on the ball. We just have to keep everything in the right balance to avoid being caught on the counterattack.

Trainer Gerhard Struber

"Don't worry"
Of course, this requires more than just two strong central defenders. For example, a goalkeeper in good form like Alexander Schlager, who is facing his former club for the first time in the league at his old home ground. Communication on the pitch with the two men in front is going very well.

 "It's very direct. But that way, one always knows what the other means," explains the man from Salzburg. The fact that he often has a quiet game because of the almost insurmountable towers doesn't bother the 28-year-old. "I'm happy when we do our jobs well. You don't have to worry about me."