3-1 Against Austria: LASK Dominant In Final Home Match

Prior to kick-off, the last home game of the season was marked by farewell ceremonies. Captain Alexander Schlager, Marvin Potzmann, Jan Boller (contracts expiring), and Nemanja Celic (end of loan) received a warm farewell from the crowd. Signs of the upcoming season were also evident in the match itself, as LASK debuted their home jerseys for the 2023/24 season, unveiled in early May.

In terms of the game, the LASK eleven demonstrated right from the start why they deserve to finish the Bundesliga season in third place, delivering a dominant and high-paced performance. The 15,483 spectators at the Raiffeisen Arena had reason to celebrate as early as the fourth minute when Keito Nakamura placed a curling shot from the left edge of the box, scoring his 14th goal of the season. Austria Wien, still fighting for crucial points in the battle for fourth place, had their first dangerous opportunity in the 22nd minute when Austrias danger man, Haris Tabakovic, missed the target after finding himself alone in front of Tobias Lawal. In the subsequent counter-attack, LASK's Robert Zulj had another chance, but Christian Früchtl saved the shot (23rd minute). Ten minutes later, Austria's Manuel Polster dribbled into the Linz penalty area from the left but missed the goal by a wide margin. Florian Flecker had the last chance for LASK before halftime, shooting wide from the right edge of the box after a setup by Mustapha.

Four minutes into the second half, the guests leveled the scoreline. Haris Tabakovic's turning shot was initially blocked, but Dominik Fitz capitalized on the rebound from close range, scoring an unstoppable goal to make it 1-1. In the 60th minute, Manfred Fischer attempted to take the lead for Austria, but his long-range volley narrowly missed the top right corner. LASK needed some time to find their rhythm in the second half but quickly made their presence felt in the 64th minute. Marin Ljubicic, who came off the bench, hit the post from a tight angle, and shortly after, Sascha Horvath fired a low shot from the edge of the box, but FAK goalkeeper Früchtl was there to make the save.

As the second half progressed, LASK regained their momentum and created numerous chances in the closing stages of the game. In the 77th minute, an excellent passing sequence involving Sascha Horvath, Marin Ljubicic, and Robert Zulj led to Moses Usor hitting the post. Three minutes later, jubilation erupted once again as Thomas Goiginger delivered an ideal assist to Marin Ljubicic, who scored his 12th league goal, restoring the lead for LASK. Austria failed to recover from this goal and in the 90th minute, Moses Usor sealed the deal after a cross from Robert Zulj, securing a 3-1 victory in the final home match of the season.

LASK Lineup: Lawal – Stojkovic, Ziereis, Luckeneder, Potzmann – Michorl (70th Jovicic), Horvath (85th Talovierov) – Flecker (61st Usor), Zulj, Nakamura (70th Goiginger) – Mustapha (61st Ljubicic)

Goals: Nakamura (4.), Ljubicic (80.), Usor (90.); Fitz (49.)
Yellow Cards: Michorl (9.), Horvath (17.), Zulj (59.), Goiginger (90+3.); Martins (16.), Mühl (38.), Holland (45+2.), Fischer (90+3.)
Raiffeisen Arena, 15,483 spectators