Even a win wouldn’t have been enough to survive the winter in the European Cup: That’s little consolation for LASK following the 1-2 defeat once morest Toulouse in the final group game of the Europa League. Because Liverpool lost 1-2 in the parallel game once morest Saint-Gilloise, the athletes would have remained in last place in Group E even with three more points. The European Cup season is now over.
“The disappointment is great,” said coach Thomas Sageder regarding the mood in the dressing room following the final whistle. The hope for third place was only there for a short time: in the 61st minute, Marin Ljubicic scored 1-1 with a header for LASK. In the packed Raiffeisen Arena it got really loud with the exchange chants that were recently practiced in Liverpool. LASK started a power play – and ran into a counterattack. Gabriel Suazo, who also won the game 1-0 in the first leg for Toulouse, made it 2-1 for the French (83′).
The OÖN analysis and comments on the game:
But third place was always out of reach anyway. The fact that Liverpool let LASK down for the second time didn’t matter because of the black-white defeat. Due to the English league leaders’ 2:3 defeat in Toulouse, second place following the fourth round was only theoretically possible. Yesterday, LASK would have needed at least a draw for Liverpool in Brussels once morest Saint-Gilloise to win for themselves in order to finish third in February To play in the second round of the Europa Conference League.
Energy and efficiency were lacking
It wasn’t just yesterday that LASK lost its winter in the European Cup. The athletes paid their lessons in the unfortunate defeats in Toulouse and away once morest Saint-Gilloise; yesterday, in the 28th and final competitive game of the autumn, there was a lack of energy and efficiency to defeat the French latecomers. “At this level, it’s the little things that make the difference. We fired 16 shots, the opponent eight. Toulouse was simply more efficient,” explained Sageder. “In the Bundesliga, some opponents may not be punished so harshly. But here it’s just like that, if you have two 100% chances to score and you don’t take them – you can’t allow that.”
Filip Stojkovic (12th) and Ivan Ljubic (17th) missed the opportunity to take a lead, then Tobias Lawal kept LASK in the game with two saves on shots from Cesar Gelabert (35th, 39th). At 0-1, the ÖFB team goalkeeper was also powerless: a black-and-white chain of errors punished Thijs Dallinga (54th) with the lead for Toulouse.
Image: GEPA pictures/ Christian Moser
The LASK gave a quick answer with the 1:1, the 1:2 then only had statistical value in terms of sport. “At this level you have to be present in both sixteens. The goals conceded were cheap. You don’t get many chances and you have to take them,” said captain Robert Zulj. “Internationally, it’s not enough if you play well.”
After the final whistle, the team was consoled by the fans and sent off for the winter break – following the 1:3 once morest Liverpool, it was only the second defeat at home of the current season. Ultimately, the goal of overwintering in the European Cup was clearly missed. The other two requirements were met: LASK is at the top in the Bundesliga and they are still on the ball in the cup.
LASK – Toulouse 1:2 (0:0)
Tore: Ljubicic (61), Suazo (83) bzw. Dalling (54th)
SHOT: Lawal – Ziereis, Andrade, Talowjerow (79. Goiginger) – Stojkovic (71. Flecker), Ljubic, Horvath, Bello – Ljubicic (88. Kone), Zulj, Usor (89. Havel)
Toulouse: Restes – Mawissa (93. Keben), Costa, Nicolaisen, Diarra – Sierro, Casseres – (76. Skyttä) Dönnum, Cesar (67. Genreau), Cissoko (67. Magri) – Dallinga (76. Suazo)
Yellow cards: Ljubicic, Zulj, Horvath and Dönnum, Mawissa
Union Saint-Gilloise – Liverpool 2:1 (2:1)
Tower: Amoura (32.), Gates (43., 62.) bzw. Quansah (39.)
Author
Günther Mayrhofer
Sports editor
Günther Mayrhofer
