Sekou Koita (54′) and Nicolas Seiwald (72′) scored the visitors’ goals, who after an open exchange of blows in the first half got down to business after the break.
Salzburg succeeds after a draw against LASK
After two draws (0:0, 1:1) in a row, Salzburg again achieved a complete success over Linz. In the table, one lap before the end of the regular season, they are nine points ahead of their closest pursuer, Sturm Graz. Another eight points behind, LASK ranks third, after five unbeaten rounds it was the first defeat of Dietmar Kühbauer’s team.
Around 18,000 spectators in Linz
At LASK, in front of an almost sold-out house – more than 18,000 spectators came to the new Raiffeisen areas – Alexander Schlager and Rene Renner, who were recently absent due to illness, returned to the starting eleven, only striker Marin Ljubicic had to continue to pass. Robert Zulj was also not in the squad due to adductor problems. At Salzburg, Luka Sucic, who had had his knee operated, was out, the most noticeable change was in the storm: Koita and Benjamin Sesko started instead of Noah Okafor and Junior Adamu.
Salzburg and LASK exchange blows
The top game between two teams that had already qualified for the championship group before kick-off proved worthy of their name, both the offensively oriented hosts, who were always looking for quick ball wins when trying to press, and the guests delivered an open exchange of blows. Despite numerous opportunities, only the goals were missing for the time being. LASK Salzburg had slightly better chances after a strong start: Amar Dedic shot over the target (6th), then Philipp Ziereis almost scored an own goal as a result of a Dedic cross, which only Schlager prevented. Four minutes later the goalkeeper was tested again, saved against Nicolas Capaldo (11th).
LASK lasts a long time
But LASK held back thanks to Schlager and courageous play, so Salzburg’s dominant phases could be broken again and again. Keito Nakamura, for example, came just a few centimeters too late (13′) after goalie Philipp Köhn’s almost unsuccessful rescue effort. Perhaps the greatest danger came from a shot by Moses Usor, who, after a quick combination, flicked the ball over the goal from the edge of the penalty area (22′). The guests recorded several deals by Koita at the half-hour mark. After a one-two with Oscar Gloukh, he narrowly aimed wide of the far corner (26′), a few later, the reflexively diving hitter defused the Malian’s low shot at the far corner (27′), again shortly afterwards he headed over the goal (31′). .
Salzburg increases pressure after the break
At the beginning of the second half, however, the master’s pressure increased, becoming more and more concrete. Gloukh opened with a long-range shot (47′), a minute later an attempt by the Israeli after a one-two with Nicolas Seiwald went just wide of the far corner. It wasn’t long before he provided the assist for Koita via a one-two, who easily completed the quick action from a few meters.
Seiwald seals victory
LASK did not seem shocked, countered via Usor and Ibrahim Mustapha, but Köhn cut the angle well (57th). Usor failed with an overhead kick (59th / next to it). The game remained racy, sometimes heated – as a dispute between Michorl and Dedic, including the formation of a pack, proved after around 65 minutes. Salzburg still had the better actions and the more dominant game. Defender Strahinja Pavlovic headed just wide of the post (62′), but the preliminary decision was made ten minutes later: After winning the ball in midfield, the “jokers” Okafor and Maurits Kjaergaard went at lightning speed, Seiwald completed the shot from a few meters.
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(Those: APA)
