Flecker slipped in the penalty area in heavy rain and was then hit by Türkmen. Video Assistant Referee Christian-Petru Ciochirca, like referee Harald Lechner, apparently saw things differently. The 12,000 spectators in the new arena on the Gugl, which can accommodate 19,080 fans, had seen a strong Linz team just fifteen minutes before the break. Otherwise, the appendix was offered little of note.
After the first win in the second duel of the season after the 1-1 draw in Vorarlberg, the Linzers moved up to five points from the second Puntigamer Sturm Graz and already have a place in the master group. The Lustenauer are still eighth and suffered a setback in the fight for a top six place after the regular season.
LASK wins in the new stadium at the last second
LASK inaugurated its new stadium on the Gugl with a last-minute victory. Linzer won 1-0 against Austria Lustenau thanks to a penalty goal by Marin Ljubicic in the 94th minute.
LASK trainer Dietmar Kühbauer changed his starting eleven after the meager 1: 1 in the Upper Austria duel in Ried in six positions. Three changes had to be made because Felix Luckeneder (suspended), Maxim Talowjerow (broken cheekbone) and Robert Zulj (ill) were not able to play. On the offensive, the two loan players Moses Usor and Ibrahim Mustapha gained confidence right from the start. Philipp Wiesinger made his comeback in central defense. At Lustenau, Henri Koudossou and Nemanja Motika were new compared to the 1-0 win at home against Austria Vienna.
LASK is struggling offensively
After a diverse supporting program, a very intense game developed, in which the Vorarlbergers did everything they could not be a loving party guest. They were very compact at the back, and they provided the first, but at the same time the only dangerous moment before the break. Lukas Fridrikas clearly missed (6th). Linz found it very difficult offensively, which only changed after a little over half an hour. Then Lustenau goalie Domenik Schierl took center stage several times.
The 28-year-old fended off a Usor shot to the corner (35′). After the corner, he also made a strong save from a Ziereis header and also brilliantly destroyed Usor’s follow-up shot. Shortly before the break, the player on loan from Slavia Prague put the ball on Keito Nakamura in the middle after a quick counter-attack, the Japanese player was saved from 13 meters and was also denied by the Lustenau goalkeeper (44′).
Lean diet after the break
The hosts couldn’t carry the momentum into the second half. The visitors were offered lean food, both teams could not put themselves in the limelight. Everyone waited in vain for top chances. The most dangerous thing was a shot by “Joker” Thomas Goiginger, who missed the goal (76th). Goiginger then also retired injured.
Everything pointed to a division of points before the referee team made a questionable decision possible for a LASK victory. Ljubicic didn’t miss the penalty opportunity, converted into the middle and scored for the tenth time this season. LASK also won the seventh Bundesliga home game in history against Lustenau and is unbeaten in the spring after the fourth competitive game.
Comments on the game:
Dietmar Kuhbauer (LASK trainer): “In the first half there were opportunities where it could normally ring. The second half didn’t have many chances, so we didn’t find many offensive solutions. It didn’t go as we had hoped, there was a bit of idleness inside. That’s why it took the penalty kick to get the threesome after all. I think it was a very tough decision, this time we were lucky. Shooting the 911 like that, I have to honestly say, it’s pure toughness. He met him, so he can sleep peacefully tonight. I’m also happy for the spectators, nobody can take the threesome from us anymore.”
Marcus Mader (Lustenau coach): “Of course I saw heads hanging in the dressing room, but once you put it all behind you, pride will prevail because my team put in a great performance. In the first 20, 25 minutes we stuck to our plan with high attacking, quick switching, but then we didn’t do so well anymore. We corrected it at half-time and then implemented it perfectly again. I have to take my hat off to the squad, we partially dominated LASK, I think that’s strong. I see the penalty as a debut gift for LASK at the opening, but not from us, but from someone else. Everyone saw that it was a completely wrong decision.”
Admiral Bundesliga, 19. Round
Freitag:
LASK – Austria Lustenau 1: 0 (0: 0)
Raiffeisen Arena, 12,000 spectators, SR Lechner
Tor: Ljubicic (94./Elfmeter)
SHOT: Schlager – Stojkovic, Ziereis, Wiesinger, Renner – Michorl, Jovicic (88th / Celic) – Usor (69th / Goiginger / 90th / Flecker), Horvath, Nakamura – Mustapha (69th / Ljubicic)
Lustenau: Schierl – Anderson, Maak, Hugonet – Koudossou (79th/Gmeiner), Turkmen, Grabher, Surdanovic (88th/Adriel), Guenouche – Fridrikas, Motika (63rd/Schmid)
Yellow cards: Kühbauer (coach), Nastl (assistant coach), Stojkovic or Koudossou, Maak, Fridrikas
The best: Ziereis, Wiesinger, Usor or Schierl, Surdanovic, Hugonet
