Victory for the Linzers

Austria Klagenfurt vs. LASK – LIVE from 14:30

LASK leads in Klagenfurt.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

LASK celebrated a commanding 2-0 victory over Austria Klagenfurt in the 30th round of the Austrian Bundesliga. The Linzers thus consolidated third place in the Bundesliga.

LASK have finally secured third place in the Austrian Bundesliga. After Sunday's 2-0 (1-0) win in Klagenfurt, the Linzers can no longer be displaced from the top three with two rounds remaining. Marin Ljubicic was the match-winner for LASK with a brace (21st, 47th). Klagenfurt remain bottom of the Championship group and are still winless in 21 matches against Linz.

Ziereis in the starting eleven
Compared to the 5:0 gala against Rapid, interim coach Thomas Darazs made one change to the LASK starting eleven. Philipp Ziereis came into the starting line-up after serving his suspension. Klagenfurt also made only one change after the 3-2 defeat in Hartberg. Christopher Wernitznig started at right-back.

Klagenfurt got off to the better start in front of 3,490 spectators, with LASK appearing surprised by Austria's high pressure. Aluminum finally prevented the Carinthians from scoring the opening goal. After a Wernitznig free-kick, Nicolas Wimmer headed powerfully against the crossbar (14'). LASK only breathed a sigh of relief in the opening quarter of an hour when Florian Flecker and Moses Usor created a double chance (10'), but gradually took control of the game and the lead.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Klagenfurt defender Thorsten Mahrer made a serious mistake in the build-up play, whereupon Usor set up Ljubicic. The Croatian shot in easily from close range. However, Klagenfurt were unable to reward a committed performance in the first half. Goal scorer Sinan Karweina hit the inside of the bar with a left-footed shot (32').

Klagenfurt devoid of ideas
Klagenfurt's efforts suffered their next setback immediately after the break. Ljubicic scored into the left corner after a pass from Sascha Horvath (47'). It was the Croatian's eleventh goal of the season. Peter Pacult's team then looked exhausted and were no longer able to create the offensive highlights of the first half. As LASK, with their comfortable lead behind them, switched more and more to administration mode from minute to minute, the game flattened out.

Only a blocked shot from Klagenfurt's Max Besuschkow (77') could have created more excitement. In the final phase, LASK captain Robert Zulj celebrated his comeback after almost two months out injured. Third place earns LASK a ticket to the Europa League play-off. If they lose the play-off, the Athletiker will move on to the group stage of the Conference League.