Slavia’s opponent LASK Linz played against the Austrian league leader. Where are its strengths?

Wednesday evening was marked by the Austrian top competition, which featured, among others, the closest rival of Prague’s Slavia from the European Conference League, LASK Linz. The team from Upper Austria took on the Admiral Bundesliga leader FC Red Bull Salzburg. How did it fare in this match?

LASK Linz advanced to the knockout stage of the European Conference League from first place. However, the team from the city on the Danube is not doing well in the domestic league. Before Wednesday’s game against Salzburg, they were 4 points behind the position guaranteeing the chance to play for the title in the group stage.

The team from Linz just missed a home game against Red Bull and an away game at Wolfsberger.

First half

Wednesday’s game started at a high tempo from both sides. It was evident that both teams are no strangers to quick transitions through the middle of the pitch. In the first quarter of an hour, however, the players of the current Austrian champion had the upper hand. However, the Red Bull players lacked more composure and patience. They did not score any goals. And that’s why the pace dropped and Linz gradually levelled the game.

Personal duels in the middle of the field and unforced losses of the ball on both sides began to pile up. This game suited the players from Upper Austria better. Linz was gradually getting at least a hint of scoring opportunities. Paradoxically, however, the first 100 percent chance came at this stage of the game for Red Bull when, in a breakout situation in the face of goalkeeper Schlager, striker Junior Adamu missed the net.

But then there were chances on the other side of the field as well, when Florian Flecker failed to score on his own in front of the Salzburg goalkeeper. After that, Thomas Goiginger tried his luck from outside the area, but Salzburg goalkeeper Philipp Köhn parried his shot into the net.

Second half

The Linz players entered the second half with the same determination and continued to have an optical advantage on the pitch. They also scored another promising chance right from the start when the agile Linz midfielder Sascha Horvath centred. However, his challenge was not heeded by striker Husein Balic, who headed past Köhn’s goal.

But then came an unfortunate moment for Linz in the 51st minute when LASK right-back Rene Renner was shown a second yellow card. He took to the showers early after being late in one of the midfield duels.

Surprisingly, Linz did not throw in the towel and continued to play actively. It was obvious that they needed to score points given the table situation. However, the Red Bull players had another chance, when Junior Adamu punishingly shot over Alexander Schlager’s net. After that, Maurits Kjaergaard failed in a breakaway situation, when alone in front of Schlager he missed the gear.

Linz added a couple of more dangerous shots. In the 85th minute, VAR even examined the possibility of a penalty kick for the home side, but with a negative result. The two opponents of Wednesday’s match thus parted amicably 0:0.

In conclusion

The brave performance of the LASK Linz players did not lead to a full point gain against the hegemon of recent years from Salzburg. This means that they will not be in the group for the title due to their inferior mutual matches with Rapid Vienna, who are currently three points ahead of them.

LASK coach Andreas Wieland commented on the match to the club website, ” Under different circumstances we would have been happy with an excellent performance. Today we put in one of our best performances of the season, even though we played against the odds we showed great determination to get the three points. Unfortunately, we won’t be in the championship group – but we will continue our successful journey of recent weeks and make a full attack in the qualifying group.”

Slavia’s players should be particularly wary of Linz’s quick transition phase next week, although at times some situations were handled hastily to the point of rashness by their players. Clearly, the Linz team lacks greater footballing quality or confidence, but they can compensate for these shortcomings with their commitment and relative tactical maturity.

Of the LASK Linz players, central midfielder Sascha Horvath stood out, through whom most of the dangerous balls in front of the opponent’s goal went. Thomas Goiginger was also able to impress with his kicking technique. The captain of the team, goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, looked a little unsure in situations when he had to run out of the goal.

Linz managed to impose their game on Red Bull for most of the game, despite the numerical disadvantage. However, it must be said that Salzburg lacked more composure on the ball and a higher portion of possession to set up scoring opportunities more effectively. Still, the Red Bull players did create a few really good ones. From that perspective, luck was with the Linz players. But that often favours the prepared.

Source: Admiral Bundesliga, LASK Linz, Transfermarkt