Bundesliga: LASK inflicts first defeat on Sturm

Husein Balic scored the lead for Linz in the sixth minute, the attacker hit flat into the far corner after a pass from newcomer Johannes Eggestein. After a well-deserved break, Sturm took command in the second half, but could not use the few equal opportunities. In the finish, Eggestein scored after a serious mistake by Amadou Dante for the final score (91st).

In the table, the Upper Austrians, who celebrated their third competitive game win in front of 1,500 spectators, are third five points behind Salzburg and three on Rapid. The fifth placed Grazers are missing four points on the LASK. Already on Thursday, Linz will face a difficult appearance in the Europa League at Royal Antwerp, the league leaders in Group J.

Early leadership for LASK

Sturm coach Ilzer relied on central defender Jon Gorenc-Stankovic in the defensive midfield, just like in the last 2-0 win in Ried. At LASK, Petar Filipovic and Marko Raguz were only substituted on after their 4-3 victory in the Europa League against Ludogorez Razgrad. Instead of them, Rene Renner and Eggestein began.

The latter did the preliminary work to make it 1-0. The LASK combined on the left side with speed through the storm defensive, Balic finished in the far corner. The Graz team conceded a goal in the first half of the game for the first time under Ilzer and fell behind for the first time this season. Balic knocked again with a shot at storm goalie Jörg Siebenhandl (22nd).

The LASK had more shares in the game, Sturm lurked 1,500 spectators for switchover situations before the coronavirus tightening last time. Jakob Jantscher (4th) and Kevin Friesenbichler (18th) appeared dangerously in front of the LASK gate. After changing sides, Andreas Kuen tested ÖFB team keeper Alexander Schlager (56th).

Ljubic gives best chance to equalize

The LASK game control was over after an hour, and from then on Sturm built up pressure. Ivan Ljubic had the best chance of equalizing, who failed after a pass from Friesenbichler to Schlager (67th).

Sturm risked more, but LASK no longer allowed really top-class goal scenes. On the contrary: After a serious mistake by Amadou Dante on a back pass, Mads Emil Madsen Eggestein, who only had to insert his first league goal.

Sturm conceded as many goals in one game as in the previous five rounds. The Graz team also ended a successful run of three competitive games in a row. The Styrians have not won any of the last seven duels with LASK. The last four games against Linz, including the Cup quarter-finals in February, were all lost to zero.

Voices for the game:

Christian Ilzer (Sturm-Trainer): “This early deficit was very annoying for me. Before that we had a good chance, and then one on the counterattack as well. Against LASK it is really difficult to run after a deficit. We struggled, but then caught up in the first half. We then had a pressure phase and deserved a point. Perhaps I would have liked a trace of the efficiency of the LASK, then it would have been exciting here. “

Stefan Hierländer (Sturm-Kapitän): “We didn’t reward ourselves at the end of the day, we quickly conceded a bitter goal and slept through the first 15 minutes. We then got the game under control, had half-goal chances, but should have played them better. We were then on the trigger, but the goal did not succeed. It is very bitter to lose this game today. “

Dominik Thalhammer (LASK trainer): “A big compliment to the defensive performance of my team. She also defended the balls well in the second half, when there were many set pieces. Unfortunately, it was a bit messy in the second half. Sturm played extremely aggressively against the ball. We then no longer had such control over the game. We are happy about a work win and a 2-0 away win. But we know that we need to have more control in the second half. “

Husein Balic (LASK goalscorer): “I’m happy that it is now also working in the final. Of course, I worked extremely hard on it. I missed a lot of chances last season. “

tipico-Bundesliga, sixth round

Sunday:

Sturm – COUNT 0: 2 (0: 1)

Graz, Merkur Arena, 1,500 spectators, SR Weinberger

Goal sequence:
0:1 Balic (6.)
0: 2 Eggestein (91st)

Sturm: Siebenhandl – Ingolitsch (83./Huspek), Nemeth (72./Gazibegovic), Wüthrich, Dante – Hierländer, Gorenc-Stankovic, Ljubic (92./Shabanhaxhaj), Kuen – Friesenbichler (72./Balaj), Jantscher (92. / F. Mwepu)

LASK: A. Schlager – Wiesinger, Trauner, Andrade (62./Filipovic) – Ranftl, Grgic, Michorl (82./Madsen), Renner – Gruber (62./Goiginger), Eggestein, Balic (68./Raguz)

Yellow cards: Hierländer, Ilzer (coach) or Renner, Raguz, Filipovic

The best: Gorenc-Stankovic or Trauner, Balic