Olimpija signs new European success: defeat in Germany healed with Austrian patch, LASK goes home with heads down

Published on 24. October 2024 24. October 2024

Photo: Nik Moder / Sportida

If the match at Z’dežele Stadium appeared more like a friendly than a serious European one due to the lively Celje players and the completely outmatched Turks, it was different in Stožice. LASK was not nearly as naive as Istanbul Basaksehir, but nevertheless suffered a similar fate. They did not fare as poorly but still came away empty-handed. Olimpija healed the wounds from a painful defeat away in Germany with a victory in Stožice, finishing 2:0 for the home team.

The match quickly tilted in favor of Ljubljana after just 14 minutes, when Spanish player Alex Blanco scored, having already found the net against Heidenheim in the first round of the conference league. What followed was mainly a chess game, with opportunities aplenty on both sides, but the dragons struck again in the 81st minute, dispelling all doubts about the winner. Olimpija secured their first three points and bolstered their confidence ahead of their trip to Finland to face HJK Helsinki.

Olimpija started the local derby well, swiftly moving into attack and threatening within a few minutes, but the visiting defense was quicker than Pedro Lucas. LASK quickly woke up, showing they were not just going to defend, but in the 14th minute, it was Olimpija who took the lead.

Ahmet Muhamedbegović sent a long ball towards Pedro Lucas, who flicked it on to Raul Florucz. The Austrian, a former LASK member, confirmed that everything looked very easy at first glance when you’re in form. With a splendid pass, he found Alex Blanco on the right side of the penalty area, who controlled the ball with his right foot and then sent it behind Jörg Siebenhandl with his left foot.

After about half an hour of play, Olimpija almost celebrated again when Pedro Lucas shot, but the visiting goalkeeper deflected the ball onto the crossbar. He was also fortunate, as the ball rebounded into his arms. Shortly after, LASK had their best chance through Robert Žulj. He headed the ball, Matevž Vidovšek jumped for it but missed with his hand, though he was lucky as he deflected it with his foot in mid-air. It was an attractive move, but the fact remains that he had a fair share of luck.

LASK was understandably more assertive in the second half. They sought a way to equalize, but Olimpija, with a solid setup and disciplined play, closed all paths to their goal. When the ball slipped out of Vidovšek’s hands after one of the visitors’ long shots, he just managed to dive after it and prevent the visitors’ joy with his body. Then came the 81st minute and … 2:0! After a free-kick, Marko Ristić reached the ball at the far post, sent it diagonally towards the goal, and Pedro Lucas pushed it into the net before the line, sealing the match in favor of Olimpija.

Just before the end of the match, Olimpija almost scored a third goal. Substitute Thalisson fired powerfully from distance, aiming very well and very accurately, but the crossbar denied him joy. Just moments later, the dragons were finally able to embrace each other. The referee blew the whistle for full-time, and LASK deservedly left empty-handed. What a crazy night for Slovenian football – two matches in Europe, two victories! May the dreams continue for a long time…