Soccer dwarf cheeky!

Are opponents losing respect for LASK?

TSV Hartberg coach Markus Schopp.

(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Oliver Lerch)

Who would have thought that in the fall? But after LASK's poor start to the spring, one of the smaller Bundesliga clubs is saying two rounds before the end of the basic round: "Our goal is to finish ahead of Linz . . . 

What a black(white) series: 2024 still winless, only two goals scored in the league spring, only two points from the games against Austria Klagenfurt (h), TSV Hartberg (a) and WAC (h), which means that the top 6 place is still not in the bag before the last 180 minutes of the basic round. However, it is also indicative of LASK's rather bleak situation ahead of Sunday's game in Altach that some of their opponents seem to be losing more and more respect for Linz. . .

The declared aim must be to finish ahead of LASK.

TSV-Hartberg-Trainer Markus Schopp

When Markus Schopp was recently asked about Hartberg's goal for the season, the successful TSV coach spontaneously replied: "The declared goal must be to finish ahead of LASK"

Excuse me?

The small club with its 11.95 million euro squad wants to finish ahead of Linz, which is more than two and a half times as valuable? At first glance, it seems cheeky. On the other hand, it is understandable that every coach looks upwards. And above TSV, thanks to (just) one point more, is LASK . . .

LASK currently in the middle of the league 

This also shows that the divisions within the league have shifted a little recently. While last season and in the fall, thanks to Salzburg, Sturm and LASK, there was always talk of the "big three", LASK is currently more likely to be assigned to the midfield, which extends up to 8th place and thus to Austria. Especially as it is these six clubs who are still fighting for the four top six places. It is safe to assume that LASK will make it there. "And in the end, we'll finish third again this year," said one LASK employee this week. However, anything else would be too little due to the €27 million squad and the transfer policy aimed at bringing in even more legionnaires.