Ljubicic triple pack

LASK against Red Bull Salzburg from 19.30 LIVE

Thomas Darazs brought success back to Linz.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Salzburg's title mission is faltering. On Friday, the Bulls delivered one of their weakest performances in recent years at LASK, losing 3:1 (0:2) and are in danger of being overtaken by Sturm Graz at the top of the Bundesliga champions' group on Sunday - with six rounds to go. Five days after the 1:1 home draw against Rapid, Salzburg delivered another disappointing performance, the only goal by Dorgeles Nene (84th) coming far too late.

LASK, on the other hand, showed a completely different face in their first game since the departure of coach Thomas Sageder, especially in terms of efficiency. Marin Ljubicic's treble (18th/penalty, 26th, 73rd) in the fourth match of the Champions Group was the second win for LASK, this time with Thomas Darazs and Maximilian Ritscher on the sidelines. Linz, who had been denied a license for the coming season in the first instance due to a slip-up in the coach selection process hours earlier, climbed back to third place, but could be replaced by Rapid on Sunday.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

New coach
LASK were not only missing captain Robert Zulj, who was often sorely missed in the spring, but midfielder Sascha Horvath also had to withdraw due to an ankle injury sustained in the 1-0 defeat to Sturm. However, the most exciting personnel situation was on the bench. Darazs took over as head coach because Ritscher, who was originally presented as Sageder's successor, does not have the required pro license and can therefore only act as "co".

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The new management duo saw Salzburg start like a fire department and after just a few seconds a top chance for Sekou Koita, who formed Salzburg's forward line together with Karim Konate following Fernando's absence. However, Koita shot wide of goalkeeper Tobias Lawal. LASK got into the game better after a few minutes and were finally rewarded with a penalty. Daouda Guindo had fouled Filip Stojkovic in the penalty area and, after a VAR review, referee Alexander Harkam pointed to the spot. Ljubicic gave goalkeeper Schlager no chance and Salzburg were visibly shocked.

Mood among fans rises
At this point, the atmosphere in the arena rose again. It had suffered audibly at the beginning due to the boycott by the "Landstrassler". The fan group expressed their displeasure at what they saw as arbitrary stadium bans in the wake of the fan action in Graz. During the fan protest against the away kit, objects had been thrown onto the pitch, among other things, which led to the game being interrupted and aroused the displeasure of the club management.

However, the atmosphere at the Gugl was to grow even more soon after taking the lead. Ljubicic finished off a quick counter-attack via George Bello and Florian Flecker from a few meters out to make it 2:0 and further increase the insecurity of the champions. They looked desperate in attack and often lacked solidity in defense. A committed solo run by Karim Konate, which Lawal was on hand to deal with, was the most dangerous thing the visitors produced up to the break (40').

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Salzburg's anger was clearly noticeable after the break. The best opportunity came when Luka Sucic shot past team-mate Konate from close range (54'). Once again, however, they allowed themselves delicate ball losses, on which LASK now concentrated almost exclusively. Despite some dangerous actions, the home side were unable to capitalize on this for the time being.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Nor was it necessary. After an hour, Struber brought on fresh forces in the form of Petar Ratkov, Forson and Amar Dedic, but Salzburg's lack of imagination continued. As did the defensive fragility. Before the final quarter of an hour had even begun, Bello chased the ball away from Dedic just a few meters from the penalty area and played it to Ljubicic, who shot in bombproof to make the final decision.

Goal of honor
Salzburg at least showed morale and scored a late goal through Joker Nene. It was too late. Shortly before the end of normal time, when Linz's strength was visibly dwindling, Lawal thwarted Nene with a brilliant save (88') and minutes later Sucic missed the goal from close range (94').

Gerhard Struber

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

LASK - Red Bull Salzburg 3:1 (2:0)
Linz, 13,800, Raiffeisen Arena
SR Harkam

Goals:
1:0 (18.) Ljubicic (penalty)
2:0 (26.) Ljubicic
3:0 (73.) Ljubicic
3:1 (84.) Nene

LASK: Lawal - Ziereis, Andrade, Luckeneder - Stojkovic, Jovicic, Berisha (86. Talowjerow), Bello - Usor (81. Taoui), Ljubicic (82. Havel), Flecker (85. Pintor)

Salzburg: Schlager - Terzic (60. Dedic), Pavlovic, Solet, Guindo - Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath (61. Forson), Gloukh, Sucic - Koita (61. Ratkov), Konate (72. Nene)

Yellow cards: Andrade, Jovicic, Lawal and Gourna-Douath respectively