LASK Held to Draw in European Opener

LASK Linz's first European fixture of the season ended in a 1-1 draw against FCSB Bucharest, with both sides failing to secure a winning advantage ahead of the second leg.

The Austrian outfit made two changes to the side that faced RB Salzburg in their previous Bundesliga match. Adil Taoui earned his first start of the season, replacing Lenny Pintor, while Jörg Siebenhandl took over goalkeeping duties from the injured Tobias Lawal.

From the outset, LASK dominated possession, controlling the tempo and dictating the flow of the match. Moses Usor had the first real chance, heading a Taoui cross high over the bar, before nearly setting up Robert Zulj for a clear opening just ten minutes later.

As the first half progressed, LASK continued to press forward, increasingly venturing into dangerous territory. A cross from Sascha Horvath found Usor, who hammered the ball over keeper Stefan Tarnovanu's goal, but LASK would eventually find the breakthrough. After a slick move involving Melayro Bogarde and Zulj, the captain played in Taoui, who expertly controlled the ball and slotted it past the goalkeeper to open the scoring. This was the 23-year-old Frenchman's first European goal.

Despite their lack of offensive threat until that point, the Romanian visitors managed to prevent LASK from taking a lead into the interval. Siebenhandl made a crucial save after a turnover against Malcolm Edjouma in the 40th minute, but in stoppage time, David Miculescu headed home to equalise.

The second half started more evenly, but LASK manager Thomas Darazs brought on Filip Stojkovic, Alexis Tibidi, and Pintor in an attempt to regain control and create more chances. The hosts attempted to increase the pressure after the hour mark, but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Frustration crept into their game as they became increasingly impatient, leading to a more intense, but less controlled, performance.

Despite the introduction of Jerome Boateng for the second time in the closing stages, LASK continued to lack decisive moments. Four minutes from time, Melayro Bogarde set up Valon Berisha, but his shot only grazed the crossbar. It proved to be their only real opportunity to snatch a winning goal, and the match ended in a stalemate. The tie will be decided next Thursday in Bucharest at the Stadionul Steaua.

LASK – FCSB Bucharest 1:1 (1:1)

Raiffeisen Arena, Attendance: 10,650, Referee: Lindhout (NED)

Goals: 1:0 Taoui (34.), 1:1 Miculescu (45.+1)

Yellow Cards: Bogarde, Taoui (LASK); Ngezana, Olaru, Tanase, Miculescu (FCSB)

LASK Line-up: Siebenhandl – Bogarde, Ziereis, Smolcic (59. Stojkovic), Bello – Horvath, Berisha – Usor (62. Tibidi), Zulj (K/62. Pintor), Taoui (78. Boateng) – Ljubicic