In the ÖFB-Cup there was a sense of achievement for the LASK against the Wattener of all places (2: 1). After that, Linz did not get into the league again, in the Conference League meanwhile, the promotion to the knockout phase succeeded on Thursday. Even before the game against Alaschkert, the duel with the WSG was an issue, and even more so afterwards.
“We have now made a step in the international competition. But the situation is clear. We have to write in the championship, we want to perform well and also achieve results. The last place is not satisfactory ”, clarified coach Andreas Wieland. According to the 38-year-old, the pressure is “definitely there”.
At the same time there is hope of leaving last place. With a victory over the Tyroleans, who are in tenth place, LASK could also move close to the top six in terms of points.
This also applies to the guests. Coach Thomas Silberberger said: “We want to score because it would be a good story for us in the table.” The cup game has been worked through. You did a lot wrong, especially in the first half. Silberberger on the starting position: “The cup game opened our eyes again about the difficulty of the task – even if LASK is currently last.”
Tense CoV situation
Bundesliga, 14th round
Start 2.30 p.m .:
LASK – WSG Tirol
Raiffeisen-Arena, SR Weinberger
Possible setups:
LASK: Schlager – Flecker, Boller, Luckeneder, Potzmann – Horvath, Hong, Michorl, Renner – Monschein, Schmidt
WSG: Ozegovic – Koch, Behounek, Awoudja, Klassen – Rogelj, Petsos, Blume, Skrbo – Vrioni, Sabitzer
Compared to the appearance against Alaschkert, the tense personnel situation in the Linz camp is only partially more relaxed. Now Thomas Goiginger and Keito Nakamura have also tested positive for CoV, as the club announced on Friday afternoon. Before the duo, five other professionals had already given positive tests. Florian Flecker and Husein Balic have tested themselves again, more players may come back in time.
Silberberger was also in the dark in this regard. “The coronavirus situation at LASK is not an easy one. We’ll see what’s in store for us on Sunday, ”said the Tyrolean. He did not want to speak of a severely weakened opponent. “What sits on the bench at LASK would play with us right from the start.”
Hospital clears up a bit
Jan Boller, who was suspended internationally, is also back, Philipp Wiesinger and Marko Raguz could be in the squad. According to Wieland, you have to assess the situation realistically with both of them. “You have to be careful not to throw them into the next injury.” Appearances from the start seem to be ruled out at the moment. Yannis Letard and Andreas Gruber also lack match practice after injuries.
The now missing Nakamura scored twice on Thursday. “The important thing is that we scored goals from a striker, that was the major point of criticism in the last few weeks,” said interim coach Wieland. How his future will look beyond winter remains to be seen. When asked to Sky, club boss Siegmund Gruber said whether there are already discussions with possible candidates for the head coach position: “Not at all.”
