Entrup can only help LASK in Hartberg with tips

LASK coach Thomas Darazs has not set a position as a goal before the opening match on Saturday in the Bundesliga in Hartberg (5 p.m., Sky) – his team should present itself as anything but aimless.

Some of his fellow coaches put LASK in the title race, but Darazs put the brakes on: “We have to keep both feet on the ground. We have to earn the status that allows us to say that we are flirting with first place.” Two newcomers, Hrvoje Smolcic and Melayro Bogarde, are working on this today. For Maximilian Entrup, however, the kick-off against his former club comes too early.

On April 24, the European Championship participant hurt LASK when he assisted Maximilian Fillafer’s opening goal in the most recent duel. After the half-time break during the summer break, he is out today because his knee hurts. “The game is obviously very emotional for me because I had a great time there and made many friends for life,” said the 27-year-old in an interview with “kicker” despite his role as a spectator.

Image: LASK

“}”>

Maximilian Entrup
Image: LASK

Today, he can only help the athletes with whom he signed a five-year contract with tips – how much they are worth is unclear: In addition to Entrup, coach Markus Schopp lost Ousmane Diakite, Mamadou Sangare, Ibane Bowat and Dominik Frieser, other key players with whom Hartberg stormed to fifth place last season. They were all there when LASK turned a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 victory – and ended the winless streak against Hartberg after eleven attempts.

A possible successor to Entrup moved in the opposite direction on loan: Elias Havel could play against LASK for the first time. Jerome Boateng also has to wait for his debut for the Athletics. After long-term adductor problems, the 35-year-old is only taking part in parts of the team training. As with Entrup, “a certain degree of tact is required,” explained Darazs.

Adil Taoui reported fit for kick-off in time after muscular problems. Rene Renner has already made his comeback in the test against Galatasaray Istanbul, but still needs time to get going, as does newcomer Tomas Tavares. Maksym Talowjerow is catching up on his vacation: he played for Ukraine at the European Championships and the Olympic Games. In France, too, the team was eliminated after the preliminary round, and the 24-year-old played in the three matches against Iraq (1:2), Morocco (2:1) and Argentina (0:2).

The players will also have to do without the loud support of the fans who have travelled with them on Saturday, because LASK will be wearing pink kits. The third colour is otherwise only worn in the Bundesliga in Altach. The colour games bother the “Landstrassler” fan club, but they also report constructive discussions on other topics during the summer break.