This time LASK prevailed – especially thanks to a confident first half. In front of 15,900 fans, the Upper Austrians gained a slight advantage right from the start, after Ivan Ljubic’s first warning shot over the crossbar (21st), the home team made it 1-0. Moses Usor took the shot and hit Christian Burgess in the arm, the Italian referee Simone Sozza didn’t hesitate for long and pointed to the spot. After Robert Zulj had recently missed two penalties, this time Horvath stepped up and held his nerve.
This was Saint-Gilloise’s only somewhat dangerous scene before the break, but Lazare Amani aimed past the far corner (29′). After that, LASK was back on the trigger and came very close to making it 2-0 in the 38th minute. After a mistake by Burgess, Usor was denied by visiting keeper Anthony Moris, and Zulj’s follow-up shot was blocked by Burgess before Usor still scored – albeit from an offside position. A VAR check to see whether Burgess’ upper arm was involved in Zulj’s attempt did not result in another penalty for Linz.
Nevertheless, LASK managed to make it 2-0 shortly before the half-time whistle. After a short corner, Horvath brought the ball to the middle, Talofjerow jumped highest and headed it in. In the second half, the home team’s enthusiasm waned a bit. Saint-Gilloise increasingly took control of the game, but without creating any compelling chances. But LASK struck coldly on the other side. After a free-kick cross from Horvath, a header from Philipp Ziereis hit the crossbar, Zulj volleyed in – the game was decided and the Belgians’ defense was broken.
Despite the premiere success, LASK is still last in Group E, one point behind Saint-Gilloise and four points behind the French club Toulouse, who surprisingly defeated the previously flawless leaders Liverpool 3-2 at home. LASK’s next Europa League match will take place on November 30th at Anfield Road.
