“It’s always these games that you look forward to all week,” said LASK goalie Alexander Schlager. From the point of view of the Upper Austrians it is even more special: The sold-out game is also the last league appearance of LASK in the Raiffeisen Arena in Pasching before the new arena in Linz is occupied in the spring.
“It’s been great memories so far. I hope that the next good memory will be added on Sunday,” said Schlager, explaining the goal before the three-month winter break.
Kühbauer knows the “Ilzer style”
Dietmar Kühbauer is also poised to win. The analysis of the opponent was apparently not difficult for the Burgenlander. Everyone knows the “Ilzer style”, according to the LASK trainer: “They work extremely against the ball. They want to put the opponent under pressure very quickly, play vertically and quickly come to conclusions.” Small preview conclusion: “It’s not surprising game, but still a difficult game.”
According to Kühbauer, his team learned one thing in particular this fall: “If we play our game, we’ll be hard to beat.” His players are already “burning” for the duel with the Styrians who are six points ahead of them. “We really want to give the spectators a great game.” After an early high, LASK landed in the trough in the fall. Kühbauer: “If we win this last game I would be very, very happy. If not, I would say we did well.”
Bundesliga, 16th round
Sunday, 5 p.m.:
LASK – Storm
Pasching, Raiffeisen Arena, SR Gishamer
Possible lineups:
SHOT: Schlager – Stojkovic, Ziereis, Luckeneder, Renner – B. Jovicic, Michorl – Horvath, Zulj, Nakamura – Ljubicic
Sturm: Siebenhandl – Gazibegovic, Affengruber, Wüthrich, Dante – T. Horvat, Gorenc-Stankovic, Kiteishvili, Prass – Ajeti, Böving
In a storm “the fire still blazes”
If there is a storm, a “golden October” should not end in a winless November. Not the performance of the 1:1 in Altach, but the denied 2:1 last brought coach Christian Ilzer on the palm. He took the fact that the team looked hungry three days after the European Cup exit in Altach as proof of their work ethic. “It was a highly exciting autumn with many emotions. But we’re not finished yet. There is not pure contentment, the fire is blazing.”
Eight games more in the legs than the opponent should not be a stumbling block for the Europa League participant. There is no longer any doubt about Sturm’s qualification for the championship group. “We could crown the autumn season with a win against LASK,” says Ilzer. Then you would be “great, great on track.” Last but not least, the Grazers would distance their first pursuer by nine points. According to Ilzer, however, the task against an “absolute quality team” will be anything but easy. “With coach Didi Kühbauer, who was successful everywhere, they are a top team again after a trough and upheaval.”
Ilzer sees his team well-prepared for a classic infight on the small Pasching pitch. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a week of preparation for a game. That felt good.” A fully fit squad results in some scrambling. “In training, two teams meet at the highest level. Everyone is pushing for the starting XI.”
