“This is what we hoped for in this second half of the master group”

The final Bundesliga phase remains exciting. For the second place LASK in theory it’s still about the championship title, for the WAC everything is possible from second place down. The two European Cup participants this season will meet on Sunday, and the course for the next season could already be set on the international stage.

Runner-up LASK can mathematically secure third place with a win. In the final accounts, this would be equivalent to the direct qualification for the Europa League group phase, which the LASK has already mastered this season.

Coach Valerien Ismael accordingly called the game a final. “This is what we hoped for in this second half of the master group,” said the Frenchman. “We did an excellent job, we’re on track. Now we want to take this step on Sunday.”

The second place is also within reach, but Linzers will probably have to argue for longer. Talks about the championship title at LASK against it none. This is understandable, since the theoretical possibility would only remain if Salzburg completely collapsed in the last three games. This is unlikely, even in the wildest scenarios.

A decision at the end of the season at the green table, in the direction that the against the LASK the deduction of points imposed by the neutral arbitral tribunal could help, but it is also not very realistic.

WAC hopes for “miracle” Europa League

The guests from Wolfsberg meanwhile only concentrate on themselves, as coach Ferdinand Feldhofer revealed. “The only goal is: We’re going to the LASKto win, to take three points. We’ll see the rest, “he didn’t want to take part in what-if speculations.” I expect a tight and competitive game. We are against the top teams Salzburg and LASK so far unbeaten three times. Why shouldn’t we do it a fourth time? “

The gap to third place, where Rapid is currently, is only four points, fifth place and Hartberg, Carinthia have five points buffer. So it looks good that at least the qualification for the Europa League can be achieved. Fourth place would justify this. To reach the group phase for the second year in a row would be “a miracle” for Feldhofer. “Nobody would have expected that,” said the Styrian.

In Pasching, the trainer can access almost the entire squad. Only Romano Schmid, who will return to Werder Bremen in the summer, is out due to an adductor injury. It will probably no longer be used for the WAC.

Bundesliga: The table of the master group

* = 4 points deduction due to prohibited team training
** = Alignment in the event of a tie (due to rounding down after the basic round)