LUKAS JUNGWIRTH
until the 51st minute
It's a shame he probably won't remember this game too well. It was one of the best in the club history of his beloved team. That was not least due to Jungwirth himself, who consistently played well, made a strong shoulder save shortly before halftime, and was even in the right corner for Sporting's penalty to make it 1-0. After the break, he risked his health with a great challenge against Suarez and fell heavily dazed to the ground after a brutal collision with the Colombian. He was then substituted against his will, but health - especially with head injuries - comes first.
XAVIER MBUYAMBA
90 minutes
This performance will not have gone unnoticed internationally. From minute one to 99, an absolutely top performance against a high-quality Portuguese left offensive side. He was almost unbeatable in duels, and certainly not in the air. His heading prowess almost led to a goal, but after just over an hour, his header was a little too central.
JOAO TORNICH
90 minutes
Very often during Sporting attacks, it was: "Last stop Tornich". The Brazilian with Austrian roots was needed slightly less in direct duels than his colleagues next to him, and therefore perhaps a little less conspicuous, but he certainly didn't drop his level.
ANDRES ANDRADE
90 minutes
The Panamanian, currently not as dominant as usual, showed one or two wobbles again, but was enormously strong, especially in the second half, winning many important duels. It should not be underestimated how dangerous his direct forward passes to the fast LASK strikers can be, and indeed sometimes were.
KASPER JÖRGENSEN
until the 83rd minute, Assist
The Dane had a somewhat erratic start, with his misplaced pass also leading to the scandalous penalty. However, he quickly fought his way into the game and provided a great assist for Lang shortly thereafter. He repeatedly had some problems with Irankunda, but the Australian also possesses high quality.
KRYSTOF DANEK
90 minutes, Goal, Yellow Card
After two Bundesliga matches as a substitute, he was the minor surprise in the starting eleven; after the game, he is the big positive surprise of the entire match. A top performance from the Czech in terms of running, fighting spirit, and playmaking, he was already involved in the build-up to the 1-1 equalizer and then scored the 3-1 himself with a bit of luck after a strong move. He received a yellow card in the hectic closing stages.
ROBERT LJUBICIC
90 minutes, Assist
Hopefully, UEFA doesn't have as little respect for LASK as referee Nick Walsh and his team seem to have. Because this performance must be enough for the Team of the Round. A brutal performance from front to back by the summer signing, which he crowned with a great assist for the 2-1. His penalty "foul" is deliberately mentioned only in a side note, as he admittedly did nothing wrong in that situation.
SASCHA HORVATH
until the 65th minute, Yellow Card
Especially at the start of the game, an absolute leader who often demanded the ball and, with it at his feet, consistently created a lot of movement in the Portuguese ranks. Decision-making in the final third could have been a little better. Shortly before halftime, he deservedly received a yellow card for a slight elbow check and was therefore substituted after just over an hour.
YVAN DIBANGO
90 minutes
Concerns were significant after George Bello's injury. After Dibango's assist hat-trick against Liverpool and now an incredible performance against €35-million man Catamo and co., these concerns have been dispelled. This time, the Cameroonian also delivered an absolutely Champions League-worthy defensive performance, playing a crucial pass in the build-up to the 3-1 goal.
SASA KALAJDZIC
90 minutes, Goal, Yellow Card
In the first half, he was primarily used to shield the ball and distribute it, but after the break, he was finally granted his first Champions League goal of his career. The ÖFB striker showed himself to be as clever as he was clinical after Ljubicic's assist, and has now scored on club football's biggest stage. Overall, an absolutely top performance in the second half, which was not even marred by an unnecessary yellow card.
CHRISTOPH LANG
until the 65th minute, Goal, Yellow Card
The soaring form continues. In the style of an absolute world-class striker, he finished with his second touch for the important 1-1 equalizer, scoring his debut goal in the "Champions League". Subsequently, he was also an absolute driving force in the LASK offense, seeking shots from all angles - and constantly creating danger. He committed a clever tactical foul in the first half and was subsequently at risk of receiving a second yellow. Before that could happen, Kühbauer took him off.
TOBIAS SCHÜTZENAUER
from the 53rd minute
Certainly not the easiest task to enter such a heated game cold. The Styrian was not needed for a long time, but when things got critical, he was fully there, for instance, with an awkward shot from Irankunda. He almost prevented the 2-3 with a top save, but unfortunately the ball bounced directly at Suarez's feet.
SAMUEL ADENIRAN
from the 65th minute, Assist
Although he only played as a super-sub this time, the playoff hero was significantly involved in the victory. If only for his outside-of-the-boot assist for Danek's goal, which made it 3-1. He also caused a lot of commotion with his power, constantly putting the Sporting defenders under pressure.
ALESSANDRO SCHÖPF
from the 65th minute
He came on to take some of the hectic pace out of the game, which he repeatedly managed to do. However, the veteran also made a bad misplaced pass that almost led to a goal from Irankunda. The Tyrolean cannot be blamed for being fouled before the 2-3 and the referee team not seeing it.
FLORIAN FLECKER
from the 83rd minute
The Liverpool brace-scorer played too short a time to be rated.
MOSES USOR
from the 83rd minute
Showed on his comeback that he is still in very good form, but his playing time was not long enough for a rating.
