After their second defeat of the season, the Upper Austrians remain third in the table with 19 points, while the Styrians have now moved past Altach to tenth place with ten points. Another away game awaits the team of coach Klaus Schmidt in the next round, namely in Altach, while LASK travels to Klagenfurt Austria.
LASK coach Kühbauer had no reason to change his starting eleven after his team’s strong performance a week ago against champions Salzburg (1-1). There was only one change for the Hartbergers in comparison to the 2:3 home defeat against Austria Klagenfurt, the injured Philipp Sturm was replaced in attacking midfield by Okan Aydin.
Hosts consider one in half
After a short start-up phase, in front of 4,500 fans in the Raiffeisen Arena in Pasching, the people of Linz gained a clear advantage and increased their chances. Hartberg goalie Rene Swete first saved with a foot defense against Marin Ljubicic (4′), then Sascha Horvath put the ball on the outside post after a great combination via Rene Renner and Peter Michorl (9′). Ten minutes later, the guests couldn’t get the ball cleared from behind, Horvath served Ljubicic, who shot well over the goal from nine meters (19′).
Hartberg barely had access to the game and was able to thank Swete and LASK’s lack of efficiency that it was still 0-0. Even a double chance did not result in the Linz lead: Renner failed with a direct acceptance to Michorl-Corner at Swete’s fists. The ball then got to Thomas Goiginger, who nailed the ball to the crossbar (32′).
Five minutes later, Ljubicic missed a Stangl pass from Keito Nakamura, Swete would have been beaten. The hosts were lucky when Nakamura touched the ball in his own penalty area on the upper arm. Referee Gerhard Grobelnik allowed play to continue.
Everything changes after changing sides
After the break, the East Styrians turned the game upside down. A deduction from LASK goalkeeper Alexander Schlager came back immediately: Lukas Fadinger headed Kriwak, who scored ice cold to guide the visitors (55th). It was the second goal of the season for the 23-year Rapid loanee. And Hartberg followed suit: Schlager couldn’t clear an Aydin shot cleanly, Tadic dusted off (62′).
The LASK was broken with it. Horvat closed the sack from a short distance after Heil-Stanglpass. The Hartbergers remain the feared opponents of the Linzers. In the previous season there were only three draws and one defeat against TSV. The last achievement dates from June 2020.
Admiral Bundesliga, eleventh round
Saturday:
LASK – Hartberg 0:3 (0:0)
Pasching, Raiffeisen Arena, 4,500 spectators, SR Grobelnik.
Torfolge:
0:1 Kriwak (55.)
0:2 Tadic (62.)
0:3 M. Horvat (78.)
SHOT: Schlager – Stojkovic, Ziereis, Luckeneder, Renner – Jovicic, Michorl – Goiginger (81./Flecker), Horvath, Nakamura – Ljubicic (71./Koulouris)
Hartberg: Swete – M. Horvat, Sonnleitner (87th / Steinwender), Karamarko – Frieser, Fadinger (87th / Ejupi), Heil, Providence – Aydin (72nd / Kainz) – Kriwak (80th / Knollmüller), Tadic (80th /paintsil)
Yellow cards: Jovicic and Providence
The best: Michorl, Horvath or Swete, Heil