In LASK’s final game of 2024, they had searched for a maiden victory in this season’s UEFA Conference League Group Phase to end the year on a high. Their previous runout in the Conference League came against Serie A giants Fiorentina and saw a heavy defeat on the road, but the 1-1 draw against Vikingur made sure LASK remained winless during the Group Phase.

LASK youth standout Armin Midzic came in for his debut appearance in the first team, whilst Marin Ljubičić celebrated his century appearance in black and white. The visitors from the Icelandic capital had picked up seven points from five games and had looked to become the first Icelandic team to qualify for the knockout stage.

After a relatively quiet opening to the game on a rainy night at the Raiffeisen Arena, LASK had the first opportunity via a Robert Žulj free-kick that was lifted just wide of the goal. However, in the 23rd minute, Melayro Bogarde was adjudged to have handled in the area by Finnish referee Mohammad Al-Emara and a penalty was given. Ari Sigurpalsson stepped up and slotted the spot kick to give the seven-time Icelandic champions the lead.

LASK bounced back immediately with Maximilian Entrup producing excellent work on the right and assist Ljubičić who simply couldn’t miss to add his name to the scoresheet on his milestone night. The goal spurred the Black and Whites forward as LASK continued to attack with purpose and were unlucky with opportunities for both Ljubičić and Entrup coming to nothing. LASK were fortunate in the 39th minute as Vikingur striker Nikolaj Hansen saw his header come off the woodwork and cleared away - a let-off for Schopp’s side - as the two clubs went into half-time with nothing to separate them.

With the hosts on top for most of the second half, Ljubičić had thought that he’d put LASK into the lead after a great assist from Zulj, however the linesman’s flag was up to rule out the goal after an offside in the build-up. Another chance for LASK came with Zulj again the playmaker to lay up Sascha Horvath whose shot missed the right corner from 20 metres out.

As the game petered out, Schopp’s side remained on the front foot and enjoyed an extended period of pressure but couldn’t find a way through the steadfast Vikingur defence who picked up six yellow cards and a red card in the game. Vikingur had to play stoppage time with only 10 men after Karl Gunnarsson was sent off for a second yellow card, bringing down Flecker on the right but LASK couldn’t capitalise to end the UEFA Conference League Group Phase with three draws and three defeats.

LASK – Vikingur Reykjavik 1:1 (1:1)
Oberösterreich Arena, 7900, SR Mohammed Al-Emara/FIN
Goals: 0:1 Sigurpalsson (23./E.), 1:1 Ljubicic (26.)
Yellow Cards: Bogarde; Ekroth, Ibrahimagic, Hansen, Gunnarsson, Vilhjalmsson
Red Card: Gunnarsson (90./Foul)

Line-up LASK: Jungwirth – Jovicic, Midzic, Smolcic, Bello – Horvath, Bogarde (60. Stojkovic), Zulj (K/77., Taoui) – Flecker, Ljubicic, Entrup

By Simon Clark from The Other Bundesliga (@OtherBundesliga)