2023-08-24 21:06:19
LASK has gained an advantage in the fight to get into the group stage of the Europa League. On Thursday, the people of Linz celebrated a 2-1 (2-0) win once morest Bosnian champions Zrinsjki Mostar in the play-off first leg, but they have to be accused of missing the chance of a better starting position for the second leg next Thursday (9 p.m.). ) in Mostar.
An early brace from Robert Zulj (4th, 12th) made for a perfect start, but following that the team coached by Thomas Sageder didn’t make enough of their dominant appearance. Nemanja Bilbija (71st) punished this at the beginning of the final phase with a goal from a free kick.
The evening in front of around 10,000 spectators got off to an ideal start for the players from Linz, who started with a three-man line under Sageder for the first time. After aggressive pressing, Zulj got the ball just before the penalty area, was blocked when trying to pass, but took advantage of the second chance. Just eight minutes later, the home side were rewarded for the committed start once more, Zulj was there once more. After an assist from Sascha Horvath, the captain hammered the ball into the net with great precision from around 20 meters to take the lead 2-0.
LASK continued to set the tone for the time being, but Zrinjski had digested the first shock following a good 20 minutes. While the Upper Austrians switched back a bit, the Bosnians became bolder and, following a long pass to the front, came up with the supposed goal – the offside position was obviously too obvious (26th). Twelve minutes later, the guests threw away a huge chance to make it 2-1 (39 ‘) with a shot from a short distance by Mario Cuze.
As agile as LASK worked once morest the ball, they only offered patchwork on the offensive despite a clear advantage in possession. The only shots made by Moses Usor (29′) and Rene Renner (45′) remained until the break, both of which went wide of the goal.
Even following the change of sides, the LASK set the tone, but did not go beyond rudimentarily dangerous actions. The best came following a deep pass to Rene Renner, who put it down the middle but mightn’t find anyone to take it (50′). Renner tried a good assist in the 68th minute as well, his Stangl pass to Zulj was intercepted at the last second.
The inconsistency in the offensive should take revenge a few later. After a free kick for Zrinjski, goalgetter Bilbija didn’t miss the opportunity from a tight angle. Nothing worth mentioning came from LASK following that either, only in injury time did Zulj test former Rapid goalie Marko Maric from an acute angle.
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