LASK loses on Champions League debut

LASK's debut appearance in the UEFA Champions League ends with a defeat.

Austria's double-winners succumb 0-1 to AEK Athens on the first matchday of the group stage. A superbly converted free-kick by Marin decides the game in favour of the Greek champions.

LASK will play their next Champions League match at home against FC Liverpool on October 14 (6:45 PM CET).

AEK take a deserved lead

In front of a at times deafening crowd at the Agia Sofia Stadium in Athens, Jungwirth prevents an early setback for LASK. Former Real striker Jovic is ideally set up by Majer, and the Linz goalkeeper manages to parry the ensuing shot from close range with his head (3').

Usor records the Austrian double-winners' first decent shot (9'), and subsequently, Kühbauer's side settles into the game better by the minute.

However, the Champions League debutants fall behind after a set piece: Marin curls the ball perfectly into the top right corner from a free-kick just outside the box, leaving Jungwirth with no chance (21').

LASK's defence shaky

LASK appears shocked by the 0-1 score, while the lead visibly boosts the Greek champions. Minutes before the break, AEK almost extend their lead to 2-0, but Andrade makes a crucial save against Varga (37').

However, the Upper Austrians also have a chance to score, but Lang is denied by goalkeeper Brignoli from a somewhat difficult angle (42').

From a free-kick in injury time, the Linzers are lucky that two AEK players don't connect properly with the ball (45'+1).

Horvath with best chance

Both sides emerge unchanged from the dressing rooms, with the Austrian visitors having the better start.

Horvath carries the ball towards the goal after a turnover by Usor, but the captain is thwarted by a strong reaction from Brignoli. The AEK keeper closes down the near post in time and prevents the equaliser with a foot save (49').

VAR disallows 0-2

After a good opening phase, LASK are lucky. Jovic converts a sharp cross from Majer with a header, but in the build-up, the Croatian is marginally offside from Koita's pass. The supposed 2-0 is therefore correctly disallowed by VAR (65').

Didi Kühbauer then reacts with a double substitution, bringing Flecker and Schöpf into the game – also because AEK are increasingly taking control of the match.

In the 74th minute, Sasa Kalajdzic also celebrates his comeback in a LASK jersey.

Kalajdzic misses chance to be hero

The Linzers only become truly dangerous in injury time – of all people, the Austrian national team striker heads the ball narrowly over the crossbar from close range (90'+2).

Earlier, Andrade prevents the 0-2 against Zini; Jungwirth would have had no chance to save (89').

For LASK, their Champions League debut ends in disappointment.