Slovan Bratislava face LASK without fans and key players in Champions League

ŠK Slovan Bratislava travel to Austria for a Champions League match against LASK on Tuesday without their supporters after an unsuccessful appeal against a UEFA punishment. The club was sanctioned for fan disturbances during a 4-0 defeat to AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected their appeal. Coach Yaya Touré said the absence of Slovan fans at the Oberösterreich Arena in Linz makes the fixture even more difficult, comparing it to matches played during the coronavirus pandemic when stadiums were empty.

Touré praised LASK, managed by Dietmar Kühbauer, as a direct and active opponent capable of changing formations and executing strong counterattacks. He stated that if Slovan can match LASK in intensity and aggressiveness, the contest could be evenly split. LASK currently occupy the 24th place in the standings, the final position that secures progression. Touré warned his players not to underestimate the Austrian side, noting they had already scored five goals against Celtic Glasgow in the Champions League play-off, netted three times in a 3-6 home loss to Liverpool and recently surprised Sporting Lisbon.

Slovan arrive in Austria following a congested schedule, having beaten Podbrezová 2-1 on Saturday. Touré confirmed that long-term absentee Kucharevyč, winger Alasana Yirajang and Roman Čerepkai are all unavailable for the match. Touré specifically lamented the loss of Yirajang, stating that the winger's speed would have been valuable on Tuesday. He added that the rest of the squad traveled to Austria fit and prepared for the fixture.