Three wins, twelve goals: LASK brace for Ried Derby

Drei Spiele, drei Siege, 12:0 Tore – LASK host SV Ried on Friday evening, aiming to extend their flawless start after a double season in Linz. The Austrian champions, fresh from a cup semi‑final win, will look to cement their league lead with a home victory.

LASK entered the season as Doublesieger aus Linz, matching their cup and league performances to keep the Double‑Saison momentum alive. In the Cup‑Halbfinale they survived a heated contest, prevailing 2:1 after extra time to reinforce their Tabellenführung.

Emotions run high ahead of the derby

Coach Dietmar Kühbauer warned that “Das Derby ist immer anders zu bewerten.” He expects an emotional Spiel, recalling a previous incident where he denied Maximilian Senft a handshake after a provocative celebration.

SV Ried, still smarting from a 3:1 away defeat to LASK last season, view the Friday clash as a chance to claim their first league victory. Coach Milos Despotovic called the match a “reizvolle Aufgabe” and stressed the need to improve defensively and offensiv.

Stefan Schwab, Ried’s captain, added, “We go in as Underdog but are optimistic with our fans’ support.” The Innviertler aim to celebrate a league win in the 70th OÖ‑Derby after recent setbacks against Austria Lustenau and Rapid.

Off the pitch, LASK will bid farewell to Saša Kalajdžić, the season’s top scorer who returned from a Wolves loan. Kühbauer said, “I would carry him through Linz if he comes back,” noting his contract runs another year and a move to a top league is likely.

LASK also uses the match as a rehearsal for their upcoming Europa Cup tie against Celtic, insisting they are “totally focused on Ried” and will not think about the Scottish side yet.

Possible line‑ups show LASK missing Harakate (Kreuzbandriss) and Smakaj (Knieverletzung), while Ried are without Pomer (Innenbandanriss) and Stöger (muscular). Both teams could see Rossdorfer or Rhodes on the bench.