"Was a lot of fun!" – LASK in a Scoring and Playful Mood

“It was just a lot of fun today,” said central defender Jerome Boateng after the goal fest against the Carinthians, which also marked the team’s sixth consecutive win. The last time the Black-and-Whites went on such a run in the Bundesliga was in 2019, when they won seven matches in a row.

After Tuesday’s 4-1 victory in Klagenfurt, the Athletiker once again showed their appetite for goals. The last time LASK scored ten or more goals across two consecutive Bundesliga matches was in March 1960: a 6-3 win over Simmeringer SC was followed a week later by a 5-4 victory against Krems. “It was a great team performance; everyone worked hard. You could see how much joy we had out there,” said Florian Flecker, who scored the goal to make it 2-0.

A total of six different players got on the scoresheet, with Ismaila Coulibaly and Samuel Adeniran both netting their first Bundesliga goals for LASK. Nineteen different goal scorers this season also marks a league-high. “It wasn’t like we were just trying to hold onto the result — we kept pushing ourselves,” said Flecker.

The more attack-minded approach, with quicker transitions and a more vertical style of play, paid off. “The players are getting into good finishing positions and converting their chances. Even before Tuesday’s first game, we had talked about getting in behind the defensive line more. Klagenfurt defends very man-to-man, so you need counter-movements and constant activity. You have to keep attacking the depth — we did that really well, and that’s something we want to keep building on,” explained interim head coach Maximilian Ritscher.

Four matches remain in the qualification group, with the season continuing this Saturday as LASK travels to face WSG Tirol. Although first place is now secured for the Black-and-Whites, maintaining full focus is crucial — especially with the upcoming semi-final of the European play-off looming. Scheduled for May 26, LASK will face either the team finishing eighth (if WAC wins the Cup) or fifth (if Hartberg wins) depending on the outcome of the Austrian Cup final. “It would be a big mistake to approach these matches with the mindset that they’re just friendlies,” interim head coach Ritscher emphasized regarding the remaining fixtures in the final phase. “Of course, it’s a comfortable position to be in, but we want to approach it with the highest level of professionalism — anything less will not be tolerated. It’s also about respecting the other teams in the league.”

The football afternoon against Austria Klagenfurt proved to be a complete success—not only because of LASK’s goal-filled performance. The club-themed matchday also lit up the eyes of countless children. Over 300 young players from clubs including ASKÖ Eferding/Fraham, Union Haag, Union Peuerbach, Sternstein Juniors, SV Lichtenberg, DSG Union Großraming, and DSG Union Pichling made their way to the Raiffeisen Arena. Highlights included various activity stations, such as a photo booth in club jerseys, a crest hunt, sprint and trivia challenges, and a flag-making corner. “I think I can speak for the whole team when I say we really enjoyed it,” said Leon, a youth player from Union Peuerbach.

During halftime, 100 kids took to the pitch for the Raiffeisen “We Make It Possible” Challenge, where they showed off their football skills and even got the chance to compete against LASK players Clemens Steinbauer, Enis Safin, and Armin Midzic. The numerical advantage paid off: the young talents claimed a 3-1 win—much to the delight of Noah, also from Union Peuerbach: “It was amazing to play in front of so many people.” An experience the kids will surely never forget.