European Cup contenders LASK and WAC match each other in Pasching

Valérien Ismaël

Trainer

Ferdinand Feldhofer

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For a complete club comparison

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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. Coach Valerien Ismael accordingly called the game 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.”

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 it is also not very realistic.

The guests from Wolfsberg meanwhile only concentrate on themselves, as coach Ferdinand Feldhofer revealed. “The only goal is: We go to LASK to win, to take three points with us. We’ll see the rest,” he said, not wanting to take part in what-if speculations. “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.