After three victories in a row, the LASK goes to the season finale of the Bundesliga with a broad chest. On Sunday there will be a duel between the Europa League starters and Wolfsberger AC.
The final Bundesliga phase remains exciting. For the second-placed LASK, it is theoretically still about the championship title, for the Wolfsberger AC everything is possible from second place down. The two European Cup participants this season will meet on Sunday, and the course for the next season could already be set on the international stage.
Vice champion LASK can mathematically secure third place with a win. In the final accounts, this would be equivalent to the direct qualification for the Europa League group phase, which the LASK has already mastered this season. Accordingly, coach Valérien Ismaël described the game as a final: “This is what we hoped for in this second half of the master group,” said the Frenchman. “We did an excellent job, we’re on track. Now we want to take this step on Sunday.”
>> Live ticker: LASK against Wolfsberger AC
The second place is also within reach, but Linzers will probably have to argue for longer. In contrast, no one speaks of the championship title at LASK. This is understandable, since the theoretical possibility would only remain if Salzburg completely collapsed in the last three games. This is unlikely, even in the wildest scenarios. A decision at the green table after the end of the season, in the direction that the point deduction against the LASK would be further reduced by the neutral arbitration board might help, but is also not very realistic.
WAC builds on a good record against the top teams
The guests from Wolfsberg meanwhile only concentrate on themselves, as coach Ferdinand Feldhofer reveals: “The only goal is: We go to LASK to win, to take three points with us. We will see the rest”, he did not want to think about what -would-be-involved in speculation. “I expect a close and competitive game. We have been unbeaten three times so far against the top teams Salzburg and LASK. Why shouldn’t we succeed a fourth time?”
The gap to third place, where Rapid is currently, is only four points, fifth place and Hartberg, Carinthia have five points buffer. So it looks good that at least the qualification for the Europa League can be achieved. Fourth place would justify this. To reach the group phase for the second year in a row would be “a miracle” for Feldhofer. “Nobody would have expected that,” said the Styrian.
In Pasching, the trainer can access almost the entire squad. Only Romano Schmid, who will return to Werder Bremen in the summer, is out due to an adductor injury. It will probably no longer be used for the WAC.
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