LASK is already in the top six in the “Schopp table”: Since coach Markus Schopp took over before the sixth round, the athletes have scored 14 points – only Sturm Graz (17), Rapid and Austria Vienna (16 each) have more.
This is remarkable, not only because the start was a failure with the defeat against Blau-Weiß Linz (0-1). The 50-year-old had taken over a team that was physically and mentally weak and had to work with compromises from game to game. Nothing is easy for LASK yet, the team has to work hard for everything – despite this, 15 goals were scored in the eight Bundesliga games under Schopp, the second best result behind Sturm Graz (19). Schopp-LASK got eight points after falling behind, three of them in the 2-1 win in Altach on Sunday.
Gather strength, analyze
The international break is doubly important for LASK: on the one hand, to take a breather after an intensive block, and on the other hand, to refine the game idea. Schopp: “It’s now a matter of gathering strength, analyzing well and continuing to work on it in a good dose.”
Elements of the new style could also be seen in Altach. “There were a lot of things again where we should have punished the opponent much earlier. This has been with us for weeks. You can’t work away from it for nothing,” said Schopp on Sky. Maximilian Entrup knows from their season together in Hartberg where the path with the coach should lead. “We still have a lot to do. It takes time. If we get the time, it can be really good.”
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**Interview with Markus Schopp, Head Coach of LASK**
**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us, Markus. LASK has had a remarkable turnaround since your appointment. You’ve gained 14 points in just 8 Bundesliga games. What do you attribute this success to?
**Markus Schopp:** Thank you for having me. The success can be credited to the hard work and dedication of the players. When I took over, the team was facing challenges both physically and mentally. We focused on building resilience and fostering a competitive spirit, and that has started to pay off.
**Interviewer:** You had a rough start with a loss to Blau-Weiß Linz. How did that affect your approach moving forward?
**Markus Schopp:** It was definitely a wake-up call. That defeat highlighted weaknesses that we needed to address quickly. After that match, we ramped up our training and made tactical adjustments, and the players responded well. Now, we approach every game with the mindset of not just competing but dominating.
**Interviewer:** You’ve scored 15 goals in your tenure so far, just behind Sturm Graz. What’s the focus in your attacking strategy?
**Markus Schopp:** While we’ve shown good offensive output, there is still room for improvement. We need to capitalize on our chances better. In recent matches, especially against Altach, there were opportunities where we should have scored earlier. The goal is to refine our attacking play and be more decisive in front of the goal.
**Interviewer:** The upcoming international break is seen as crucial for LASK. What will be your main objectives during this period?
**Markus Schopp:** The international break is a perfect opportunity for us to recharge and analyze our performance thus far. We’ll work on refining our game plan and addressing the areas where we can enhance our performance. It’s all about gathering strength and making sure we are prepared for the challenges ahead.
**Interviewer:** Maximilian Entrup mentioned that the journey with you will take time. How do you see the long-term vision for LASK?
**Markus Schopp:** Maximilian is spot on. Building a successful team is not an overnight process; it requires patience and consistency. We are creating a foundation that can support sustained quality and performance. If we stick together and stay focused, I truly believe we can achieve great things with LASK.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Markus. We look forward to seeing how LASK progresses under your leadership!
**Markus Schopp:** Thank you! I appreciate your support and hope to continue making our fans proud.
