In Bucharest

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(Bild: GEPA pictures)

LASK missed out on advancing to the Europa League stage due to a last-minute defeat. The Upper Austrians conceded a last-minute goal in the 93rd minute against Romanian champions FCSB at the Steaua Stadium in Bucharest on Thursday after a tough European Cup tie, meaning that Thomas Darazs' team will have to settle for the Conference League after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. 

Despite many chances, LASK came away as losers in Romania because FCSB captain Darius Olaru moved into the penalty area from the left in stoppage time and scored with a powerful shot over LASK goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl and the bottom edge of the crossbar to secure a late victory. The Romanians can therefore look forward to Europa League starting money of €4.31 million, leaving LASK with €3.17 million to compete in the Conference League, the third-highest European club competition.

Darazs tried to compensate for the absence of captain Robert Zulj and central defender Hrvoje Smolcic with a system change. In comparison to the first leg, Maksym Talowjerow came into the starting eleven in a 4-1-4-1 as a full-back in front of the defense, with Filip Stojkovic moving into central defense as he did in the 2-1 defeat at Vienna Austria in the league on Sunday.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The hosts, who have only won once in six league games, started with more drive on goal in the packed and atmospheric arena. However, Linz created the better chances. Substitute captain Philipp Ziereis headed wide from a corner (10th), and after a quarter of an hour FCSB goalkeeper Stefan Tarnovanu had to make an excellent save from a long-range shot by Adil Taoui. Marin Ljubicic was unable to get a header on target (16') and George Bello narrowly missed a dangerous pass from Moses Usor (19').

Horvath injured
A short time later, Sascha Horvath had to leave the pitch due to injury. Siebenhandl had little to do against Romania, who were harmless for long stretches. Before the break, the veteran, who replaced the injured Tobias Lawal, was forced into two saves (43rd, 45th). However, Darazs' side had the best chance to take the lead just before the half-time whistle: Taoui ran alone towards goal, but decided to cross too steeply to Ljubicic (45.+3).

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Hosts ice-cold
Although the Romanians came out of the break much more aggressively, LASK once again had the better chances to take the lead. However, shots from Taoui (50') and Usor (52') did not result in a goal celebration for Linz. A combative game developed in which FCSB increasingly took command. Ziereis saved a Popa shot just off the line in the closing stages (83'), while at the other end Taoui failed to beat Tarnovanu from a good position after a counter-attack (90'). The hosts struck just as everyone was expecting extra time.

 

FCSB Bucharest - LASK 1:0 (0:0)
Bucharest, Stadionul Steaua
SR Zwayer (GER)
First leg 1:1
Bucharest with an aggregate score of 2:1 in the Europa League phase, LASK in the Conference League phase.

Goal: 1:0 (93.) Olaru

FCSB: Tarnovanu - Cretu, Ngezana, Lixandru, Radunovic - Sut (72. Chiriches), Alhassan (46. Edjouma) - Baluta (46. Popa), Olaru, Miculescu (78. Baeten) - Tanase (78. Popescu)

LASK: Siebenhandl - Bogarde (95. Boateng), Ziereis, Stojkovic, Bello - Talowjerow - Usor (86. Tibidi), Taoui, Horvath (38. Pintor), Berisha - Ljubicic

Yellow cards: Ngezana, Popa, Tanase or Berisha, Usor, Ljubicic, Tibidi