Salzburg will be looking to preserve their unbeaten European record, while LASK and Sturm are both in need of valuable points in the league phase against high-profile opposition. Nevertheless, all three Austrian sides have at least some reasons for cautious optimism.
LASK vs Liverpool: A huge occasion after a disappointing result
Wednesday, 14 October, 18:45 – Champions League
LASK are preparing for one of the biggest home matches in their history on Wednesday. Liverpool FC, one of European football’s leading clubs, travel to Linz, although the English giants arrive with problems of their own.
Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in Sunday’s heavyweight Premier League clash. After Ryan Gravenberch received a controversial second yellow card in the second half, Liverpool’s defence collapsed, conceding three goals in just 14 minutes.
The Reds had already been dealing with significant fitness concerns. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo returned injured from international duty, while Dominik Szoboszlai also missed the City match. Whether all three will recover in time to face LASK remains uncertain. In particular, the former Salzburg midfielder Szoboszlai is considered a serious doubt.
Liverpool did, however, make a successful start to their Champions League campaign. They secured a 2-1 home victory over Atlético Madrid, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring the decisive goal.
LASK, meanwhile, lost their opening match 1-0 away to AEK Athens and are under additional pressure following their recent 2-0 home defeat to Rapid Vienna. Dietmar Kühbauer’s side have now gone four competitive matches without a win.
The injury situation is particularly frustrating. George Bello suffered a muscle injury against Rapid and has definitely been ruled out of the Liverpool game. Moses Usor was also forced off with a shoulder problem. At least Sascha Horvath appears to have avoided another serious setback after seemingly experiencing renewed discomfort during the Rapid match.
Following that defeat, Kühbauer stressed that his players would have to show considerably more aggression. At the same time, he has no illusions about the difference in quality between the two opponents: “We know perfectly well that Liverpool are still miles ahead of Rapid.”
The hosts’ main priority will be to remain compact between the lines and prevent Liverpool from finding space for their rapid attacking transitions. The visitors’ defeat to City could even make them more dangerous, as they desperately need a convincing victory to restore confidence.
However, if Liverpool are once again forced to do without important attacking players, LASK may at least have an opportunity to remain competitive deep into the match.
Salzburg vs Milan: Both sides looking to build momentum
Thursday, 15 October, 18:45 – Europa League
Red Bull Salzburg welcome another of Europe’s traditional heavyweights on Thursday, when AC Milan visit Austria. Danny Röhl’s side nevertheless have good reasons to approach the encounter with confidence.
Salzburg are unbeaten in their last 15 competitive matches and opened their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 away victory over Levski Sofia. Their latest Bundesliga outing, however, represented a minor setback. The second-placed side could only manage a goalless draw at GAK following an overall disappointing performance.
A growing injury list is another concern. The absence of Nikolas Veratschnig is particularly painful. The right-back, one of the Bundesliga’s standout performers in the opening weeks, suffered a knee injury involving bone marrow oedema while on international duty with Austria. He could be sidelined for between six and twelve weeks.
Damir Redzic, Enrique Aguilar and Justin Omoregie are also unavailable through injury. Röhl therefore faces a selection dilemma in the full-back positions, with Leandro Morgalla and Stefan Lainer among the possible alternatives on the right.
Milan also travel to Austria with a record that has not been entirely convincing. Rúben Amorim’s side remain unbeaten in Serie A, but could only draw 1-1 at Sassuolo in their latest outing. With twelve points from six matches, the Rossoneri sit fifth in the Italian standings.
Their Europa League campaign began even less encouragingly, with a surprising 2-0 home defeat to Benfica. Milan are therefore already under some pressure to deliver a result.
Individually, however, the Italians possess enormous quality. Players such as Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot and Gonçalo Ramos are capable of deciding matches with a moment of brilliance.
Salzburg will look to disrupt the visitors’ rhythm through their intensity and aggressive pressing. A crucial factor could be how quickly the Austrian side exploit dangerous spaces after winning possession.
Against a technically gifted Milan team that is not always convincing defensively, earning at least a point appears a realistic objective.
Bournemouth vs Sturm: Injury concerns on both sides
Thursday, 15 October, 21:00 – Europa League
Like LASK, Sturm Graz face English opposition this week. Fabio Ingolitsch’s side travel to AFC Bournemouth for an intriguing encounter, with the hosts currently enduring a difficult period in the Premier League.
Under Marco Rose, Bournemouth are still searching for their first league victory after six matches. Last weekend brought a heavy 5-1 defeat at Chelsea, once again exposing their defensive vulnerability.
Their European campaign, however, began much more positively. Bournemouth claimed a somewhat surprising 2-1 victory away to Real Sociedad in their opening Europa League fixture, putting three valuable points on the board.
The English side will also be without several important players. The injury to Alex Scott is particularly significant. The central midfielder suffered a thigh problem while on international duty with England and is expected to miss several weeks.
Sturm’s personnel situation is similarly difficult. Otar Kiteishvili, Filip Rózga, Seedy Jatta and Nelson Weiper are among the most prominent absentees. Several other players have also been struggling with fitness issues, forcing Ingolitsch into numerous changes in recent matches. Axel Kayombo and Szymon Włodarczyk are also unavailable for Europa League selection after being left out of the registered squad.
At least the Graz side enjoyed an important boost on Saturday. Despite eight injury-related absences, Sturm secured a 2-0 away victory over Austria Vienna. Oumar Diakité scored both goals and could again play a decisive role in England.
Sturm began their Europa League campaign with a goalless draw against Stade Rennes. Their defence performed reasonably well, although they lacked a cutting edge in attack.
Another disciplined display will be essential against Bournemouth. The English side have dangerous attacking options in Evanilson, Marcus Tavernier and Rayan, but they also leave spaces to exploit after losing possession.
Sturm’s aggressive pressing could therefore become a significant factor. The Austrians have already shown that they can compete despite a severely depleted squad.
Bournemouth remain favourites on paper, but given their Premier League struggles so far, a surprise result for Sturm cannot be ruled out – particularly if they can keep a clean sheet for as long as possible.
Three matches, three different challenges
Austria’s European representatives face a potentially defining week, although none of them can realistically take points for granted. LASK urgently need a positive result following their defeat in Athens, but face the toughest opponent of the three.
Salzburg have an opportunity to build on their successful Europa League opener against Milan. Sturm, meanwhile, could collect valuable points against a struggling Bournemouth side, which would be particularly significant following their opening draw with Rennes.
The personnel situation is likely to play a decisive role in all three encounters. One thing is certain: with Liverpool, Milan and Bournemouth on the schedule, Austrian football is preparing for a European week featuring plenty of international pedigree.
