Conference League

LASK against Djurgardens IF – LIVE from 9pm

LASK's performance was convincing for a long time, but a period of weakness turned the game on its head.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

LASK's first appearance in the new UEFA Conference League season against Djurgarden was a real rollercoaster ride. After the early injury to Moses Usor, Valon Berisha took the lead. Florian Flecker added another shortly after the break. Just when the home side seemed to have everything under control, the Swedes struck back. Within eight minutes, a double strike made the final score 2:2. 

LASK missed out on a successful start to the Football Conference League. The team from Linz let a 2-0 lead slip away in their home match against Djurgården on Thursday. In the end, Markus Schopp's team had to tremble for a point. Valon Berisha (26') and returnee Florian Flecker (49') opened the scoring, but the Swedes had answers thanks to August Priske (57') and Tokmac Nguen (65').

The fact that LASK remained unbeaten for the fourth time in a row was little consolation. The mood was not only dampened by the course of the game. The organized fan scene remained silent in protest against the high ticket prices (68 euros/long side). The stadium was half full with 8,500 spectators. In the second of six league phase matches in the reformed competition, LASK will play Olimpija Ljubljana, who lost 2-1 in Heidenheim, on October 23.

Beautiful goal for 1:0
Schopp relied on the starting eleven from the 1:1 at Rapid, but had to make an early change. Flecker replaced Moses Usor on the right wing on his comeback after breaking his fibula after getting stuck on the grass while dribbling (10th minute). The LASK coach prepared his team for "a strong opponent", who rested a number of regular players ahead of the final five rounds of the championship.

For a long time, everything seemed to point to a victory for Linz.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Cheered on by their fans, Sweden's second string dominated proceedings with long spells of possession. Linz conceded very little and relied on swift presentations. A coordination problem in Djurgården's defense led to the lead (26'). Adam Stahl let through a cross from Filip Stojkovic, behind his back Berisha was quicker to the ball than goalkeeper Oscar Jansson and scored from a difficult angle from a turn.

Then the game turned
The game continued with few chances. In the 47th minute, LASK survived a dicey situation unscathed. Philipp Ziereis initially blocked a cross into the legs of Besard Sabocic, but cleared the subsequent shot off the line for his beaten goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl. Two minutes later, LASK extended their lead. Flecker finished off a beautiful attack over a few stations. After Ljubicic's pass, the attacker went past the goalkeeper and scored with precision (49').

However, the momentum was still to change. Stockholm played their way through on the right and the Linz defense was unable to stop the pass. Priske, who was lurking in front of goal, successfully put his foot down (57'). Schopp had made three changes immediately beforehand. After the goal, the visitors also brought on four new players.

LASK wavered. Siebenhandl was on hand to stop the substitute Nguen with a foot save (63'). The next moment of carelessness saw the visitors equalize. The unchallenged Nguen beat Siebenhandl with a slightly deflected long-range shot (65'). The Upper Austrians then had to fear for one point, but fought their way back into the game in the final stages. Horvath had the last good chance for Linz with a blocked drop kick (82').