LASK Linz claimed their second victory of the Champions League league phase by beating Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in Linz on Tuesday, 3 November. Kasper Jørgensen scored twice before Robert Ljubicic and Samuel Adeniran completed a convincing home victory.
The result reflected LASK’s control of the match. They registered 29 shots to Slovan’s seven, with 10 attempts on target compared with five from the visitors. Slovan goalkeeper Aleksandar Popovic made several important saves to prevent an even heavier defeat.
Slovan created the first opportunity when Andraz Sporar shot over, but the hosts soon established a sustained attacking rhythm. Popovic denied Andres Andrade’s header and then stopped Moses Usor, who remained involved in the next attack.
Usor’s corner in the 19th minute was met by Jørgensen, who headed in from close range to give LASK the lead. The delivery rewarded the hosts’ movement in the penalty area and gave the Danish forward his first goal of the evening.
LASK continued to press after going ahead. Usor shot wide from distance before Jørgensen doubled the advantage in the 37th minute, curling a right-footed free-kick from near the edge of the area close to the post.
Slovan had a chance to reduce the deficit before half-time when Nino Marcelli found Sporar in the 41st minute, but Lukas Jungwirth saved his effort. Three minutes later, LASK extended their lead as Ljubicic scored from close range following another corner.
The home side therefore went into the interval 3-0 ahead, having made particularly effective use of set pieces. Slovan’s defensive problems in dealing with deliveries into the area left them with a substantial deficit to overcome.
LASK made it four in the 48th minute through a swift transition. Sascha Horvath supplied Adeniran, who moved down the left side of the penalty area before striking beneath the crossbar.
The hosts continued to threaten rather than simply protect their advantage. Ljubicic missed a significant opportunity and Popovic saved from Usor in the 62nd minute. Substitute Sasa Kalajdzic also found several shooting positions, but Popovic kept out his efforts, another attempt went over and his header struck a post in added time.
Jungwirth preserved LASK’s clean sheet with late saves from Tigran Barseghyan. The victory takes LASK to six points after four matches and keeps them in contention to progress, following their earlier win away to Sporting.
Slovan Bratislava remain without a point after four games. Their chances in Linz could not offset difficulties defending set pieces and protecting their penalty area, while missed opportunities also prevented them from reducing the gap.
Jørgensen was named player of the match after scoring with both a header and a direct free-kick. Usor contributed the assist for the opener and remained a consistent threat, while Adeniran’s decisive finish shortly after the interval completed the scoring. Kevin Wimmer was booked and replaced at half-time after Slovan conceded three first-half goals.
