LASK Suffers Narrow Defeat to Leader Sturm

With the same starting lineup as in their 2-1 victory over WSG Tirol, LASK took on the reigning champions in the top match. Just seconds into the game, goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl was first called into action when Valon Berisha deflected a corner towards his own goal, but the Linz keeper was alert. What followed was a tactically driven duel, with neither team willing to take too many risks. LASK adopted a slightly deeper pressing line in the first half, aiming to keep spaces tight with a midfield press, which largely succeeded.

However, the Black and Whites struggled to reach dangerous areas often enough to create chances. LASK showed a glimpse of their threat on set pieces when Marin Ljubicic sent a header just over the bar following a corner (25’). The next two scoring opportunities went to Graz: first, Philipp Ziereis cleared a Biereth shot off the line following a Linz turnover in their own half (29’), and four minutes later, Otari Kiteishvili connected freely with a precise cross from the right to head in the opening goal for the visitors, putting them up 1-0.

Head Coach Markus Schopp made a double substitution at halftime, bringing on midfielder Melayro Bogarde and center-back Hrvoje Smolcic, both intended to boost LASK's possession play. Schopp's tactical move paid off perfectly: following a corner from Robert Zulj, the newly introduced Smolcic outmaneuvered his marker and scored a celebrated equalizer in the 59th minute, marking his first competitive goal for LASK. The equalizer visibly energized the team, allowing them to control the ball more fluidly and apply consistent pressure.

At this stage, the hosts came close to taking the lead, showing they weren’t satisfied with a draw. Another set piece led to a solid chance when a corner found Filip Stojkovic, who headed just over Sturm keeper Kjell Scherpen's goal in the 73rd minute. Towards the end, league leaders Sturm became more dangerous, leading to an open exchange in which the visitors capitalized. In the 84th minute, after a swift attack down LASK's left side, Siebenhandl managed to block the initial cross, but Lovro Zvonarek netted the rebound. In the seventh minute of stoppage time, George Bello nearly equalized, but his shot was blocked. Maximilian Entrup and Robert Zulj also had late chances, but LASK couldn’t find the back of the net again.

LASK – SK Sturm Graz 1:2 (0:1)
Raiffeisen Arena, Attendance: 15,400, Referee: Lechner
Goals: 0:1 Kiteishvili (33'), 1:1 Smolcic (59'), 1:2 Zvonarek (84')
Yellow Cards: Ljubicic, Ziereis, Stojkovic; Biereth, Jatta, Johnston

LASK Lineup: Siebenhandl – Stojkovic, Ziereis, Talovierov (46' Smolcic), Bello – Horvath, Jovicic (46' Bogarde) – Flecker, Zulj, Berisha (67' Taoui) – Ljubicic (67' Entrup)