The third-placed Linz team drew 2-2 (1-1) with Austria Klagenfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday and are still seven points behind Salzburg and five behind Sturm. Double goalscorer Robert Zulj prevented the Athletes’ first home defeat of the season in the 92nd minute.
Picture gallery: LASK once morest Austria Klagenfurt: Impressions from the stadium
LASK Austria Klagenfurt (Photo: pictureshooting.at | Albert Mikovits) Bild 1/35
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LASK dominated the brisk game with a lot of possession of the ball, with many penalty area scenes on both sides, but initially mightn’t finish. The guests were significantly more dangerous at first, as they missed great chances in the early stages thanks to Nicolas Binder (1st) and Sebastian Soto (5th, 11th) and were unlucky with a Cvetko shot from the pole (23rd).
The Upper Austrians, with the new Valon Berisha in midfield, took advantage of their first chance. After a one-two with Andres Andrade, Zulj (30th) put his team in the lead. Six minutes later, Klagenfurt striker Sinan Karweina also struck and finished perfectly to tie the score (36′). At the end of the first half, Marin Ljubicic had LASK’s new lead three times, but the striker was denied twice by goalkeeper Philip Menzel (39′, 45’+1) and hesitated too long in a four-on-one counterattack ( 44.).
After the break, LASK put a lot of pressure on and pushed for the second goal. A Zulj goal was disallowed due to previous handball by provider Moses Usor (58th), the captain and Felix Luckeneder also missed two good opportunities (67th, 68th). Klagenfurt were no longer dangerous in the second half of the game, but struck at a set piece. Cvetko scored from a good 20 meters. But it wasn’t enough for the first win once morest LASK because Zulj scored the deserved equalizer following a free kick.
Coach comments on the game
- Thomas Sageder (LASK): “In the first half we allowed the Klagenfurt team too many transitions, following the break we actually had the opponent very well under control and we were able to create some top-class opportunities. The team showed a great reaction following the goal and reward yourself with at least one point for a good performance. I don’t think that point is enough today.”
- Peter Pacult (Klagenfurt coach): “In the end it was a deserved equalizer from LASK, although we had three or four opportunities to take the lead in the first half, we have to make better use of them. In retrospect, you can’t be dissatisfied once morest a strong player LASK. LASK is certainly on the right track. We don’t take the point home undeservedly. We probably have the least pressure, we don’t talk, we look from week to week.”
