LASK Turns the Game Around and Advances to the Quarterfinals

"The opponent would demand everything from us," predicted LASK head coach Markus Schopp ahead of the cup round of sixteen in Voitsberg. He was proven right, as the Styrians started the game with great ambition, with Martin Krienzer creating two solid scoring chances in the opening minutes. LASK goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl was alert to make one save, while Krienzer sent his second shot into the side netting. The Linz side, making five changes from their previous home game against Sturm, struggled to find their rhythm and, despite dominating possession, produced few offensive threats beyond two dangerous crosses.

The hosts’ opening goal, just after the half-hour mark, was a fair reflection of the game up to that point. After a long pass and a mistake in the LASK defense, Krienzer found himself one-on-one with Siebenhandl once again, and this time he kept his composure to score (33'). However, LASK managed to avoid going into the break trailing thanks to their best play of the half in the 42nd minute. Following a smooth combination involving Sascha Horvath, Valon Berisha, and Adil Taoui, captain Robert Zulj was perfectly positioned just outside the box to score - marking his fourth goal of the cup season.

LASK head coach Markus Schopp made a double substitution at halftime, reacting to the team’s first-half performance. George Bello and Philipp Ziereis replaced Tomas Galvez, making his second start, and Hrvoje Smolcic. Schopp’s tactical adjustments paid off quickly: just two minutes into the second half, Ziereis capitalized on a rebound from a Talovierov header that struck the post after a corner, scoring to make it 2-1 in the 47th minute—his first goal since the season opener in Hartberg.

Following the go-ahead goal, LASK showed signs of improvement early in the second half. Maximilian Entrup nearly extended the lead in the 52nd minute, narrowly missing the target from a precise right-wing cross. Shortly after the hour mark, Zulj almost made it 3-1, heading just wide from a Stojkovic cross. However, ASK Voitsberg continued to threaten, nearly equalizing with a triple chance: Christoph Urdl’s shot hit the crossbar, Krienzer’s follow-up struck the post, and Siebenhandl finally saved Maximilian Suppan’s attempt. In the closing minutes, Voitsberg hit the woodwork once more with Christoph Strommer’s header.

Despite the persistent pressure from a determined underdog, LASK managed to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory, advancing to the quarterfinals.

ASK Voitsberg - LASK 1:2 (1:1)
Münzer Bioindustrie Sportpark, Referee: Spurny
Goals: 1-0 Krienzer (33’), 1-1 Zulj (42’), 1-2 Ziereis (47’)
Yellow Cards: Sidar, Pungarsek; Bogarde, Horvath, Stojkovic

LASK Lineup: Siebenhandl – Stojkovic, Talovierov, Smolcic (46’ Ziereis), Galvez (46’ Bello) – Horvath, Bogarde (64’ Jovicic) – Taoui, Zulj, Berisha (81’ Sulzner) – Entrup