2023-10-05 20:58:36
This defeat really hurts. Because LASK absolutely might have gotten more out of yesterday’s 0-1 (0-1) draw at FC Toulouse. The home side’s expected attack turned into an open game – in which the efficiency of the French ultimately decided. “It should have been a point,” said captain Robert Zulj, disappointed. “We get a goal that we should never get and have two or three thousand percent chances. If you miss the empty goal twice, it will be difficult.”
The LASK was not impressed by 33,000 spectators in the real cauldron. If this is the Europa League, what would the atmosphere be like in the Champions League? “Faitez leur decouvrir Toulouse,” was written on the giant banner that was unrolled across the entire standing-room stand before kick-off. And it included a pun. Translated into English with the last word, “Let them discover Toulouse” becomes “Let them discover losing.”
LASK was by no means willing to do this – that was evident from the first minute. However, there was a double flaw: in the final third they didn’t play courageously and consistently enough to achieve dangerous goals. Perhaps also because Sascha Horvath was injured – the more defensive Ivan Ljubic took his place.
On the other hand, Toulouse only had two dangerous chances in the first half – and still led 1-0. When Gabriel Suazo scored (31′), Andres Andrade – who this time once more took the central position in the three-man defense – and Philipp Ziereis didn’t look particularly good either.
Image: GEPA pictures/ Manuel Binder
Usor and Ljubicic missed
After the break, Toulouse withdrew further and further – LASK became more concrete and courageous. Moses Usor should have made it 1-1 when Toulouse keeper Guillaume Restes was already lying on the ground following a blocked shot from five meters – and might no longer intervene (55th).
It was even worse three minutes later when Marin Ljubicic chased the ball two meters in front of the goal following an assist from Usor (58th). The offside indicated would certainly have been overturned by VAR.
Image: GEPA pictures/ Manuel Binder
Such opportunities cannot be missed on the international stage. It was bitter that shortly followingwards the very strong Branko Jovicic was injured in a press ball and had to be replaced injured. Ebrima Darboe replaced him and Moussa Kone came on for Marin Ljubicic. They were no longer really dangerous in front of the goal, even though the opponent was only concentrating on counterattacks and mightn’t finish them properly.
Image: GEPA pictures/ Manuel Binder
Balanced statistics
It didn’t help at all. In the end, the ball possession statistics showed 50:50, 2:1 shots on goal for Toulouse and 1.36:1.26 for LASK in expected goals. In the end, only the final result counts – with 0-1, LASK is currently in last place in the table. Now you have to show Toulouse in Linz what it feels like to lose.
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Author
Harald Bartl
Deputy Head of Sports Department
Harald Bartl
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