Schopp meets old love: Hartberg against LASK in the Bundesliga showdown

Schopp meets old love: Hartberg against LASK in the Bundesliga showdown

Next Saturday, November 3., will meet again in the Bundesliga of the LASK and TSV Hartberg at 5 p.m. This time there is special explosiveness, since Markus Schopp, the ex-coach of Hartberg, is now on the sidelines of the LASK. Schopp was the Styrian coach until September 2023 and established a close connection to the team during this time.

At her last meeting, which took place on August 3, Hartberg had to accept a 1-2 defeat. But Schopp has great hopes that his new club will be successful in the home game. The LASK is currently in sixth place, while Hartberg is in eighth place, which is also fueling the struggle for important points.

The meaning of the game

Schopp commented on the emerging qualities of the LASK: "It is not a game like any other. This team has a clear game idea and impresses in possession of the ball with various solutions," said the 50-year-old. Hartberg recently presented a strong run under Schopp's successor Manfred Schmid. Four of five last games were won and the Saarland Cup was achieved by a confident 3-0 victory against Austria Lustenau in the quarter-finals.

For Schmid, this encounter is also characterized by special emotions because he knows the players from Hartberg well: "It is not an easy game for us, but I have changed a lot in the way of playing to be uncomfortable for every opponent." This duel is particularly exciting for the LASK striker Maximilian Entrup because he plays against his former club. "This will be a 50:50 game, which we want to win," emphasized Entrup.

focus on the competition

Both trainers emphasize that despite the exciting relationship, the focus is not only on the duels among the coaches. Schmid made it clear: "It is not Schmid against Schopp. Emotions are important, but they must not become a central topic." With a victory, the LASK team could increase the number of its Bundesliga victories to over 400, which would include in the elite 400 club of the league, which also includes clubs such as Rapid and Salzburg.

HARTBERG manager Schmid pretended the route in the run-up to the game: "We were able to fill up with a lot of confidence and drive to Linz with a wide chest." This shows that both teams will fight for the points until the final whistle to assert themselves in the midfield of the table.

In the possible list of the LASK, the players could act as follows: seven -handed in the goal, accompanied by Stojkovic, Ziereis, Talowjerow and Bello in defense. Horvath and Jovicic could determine the action in midfield, while the offensive is organized via Flecker, Zulj, Berisha and Ljubicic. Hartberg's line -up provides for Sallinger in the goal, supported by Heil, Wilfinger, Komposch and Pfeifer in defense, and a midfield that is reinforced by Kainz, Markus and Diarra.

The duel on Saturday not only promises an exciting sporting event, but also many emotional moments for players and trainers, while the two teams want to secure their place in the table. More information and details about this game are find .