Well, that couldn't have gone much better for Manchester United fans.
But should we be so quick to dispel the Austrian Bundesliga side (not that you knew they were even Austrian in the first place) as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men get ready to face the club in the Europa League round of 16? Maybe we shouldn't be.
Whether or not they'll provide the upset of the round is a matter for later, but in the mean time, here's all you need to know about LASK.
What Does LASK Mean?
Let's address the elephant in the room first, because, you're all thinking to yourself, 'that can't be the actual name of the team, right?'.
Correct you are. 'LASK' is short for
How Did They Get Here?
Good morning!!
— LASK English (@LASK_eng) February 28, 2020
No, last night wasn't a dream #togetherwearelask ⚪⚫❤️ pic.twitter.com/gQSaDt1yXy
Yet, their only defeat during their six group clashes would come away at Sporting, where a certain Bruno Fernandes would net the winner to secure a 2-1 win. Other than that, they won four and drew one of their matches to impressively finish top of the pile.
That prompted a round of 32 showdown with AZ Alkmaar. Heading to the Netherlands for the first leg, the Austrian outfit recorded twice as many shots as the hosts - this despite recording just 37% possession - and were only undone by an 86th minute penalty to secure a commendable 1-1 draw.
Fast forward one week and we're now looking at United's future opponents, after Marko Raguz's brace handed LASK a 3-1 aggregate win to etch new history into the club's record books - with a trip to Old Trafford their just reward.
European History
They briefly dabbled with the UEFA Intertoto Cup in the mid-90s, with their best finish being semi-finals stage where they were humbled 7-2 on aggregate by Rotor Volgograd.
Players to Watch
Marko Raguz - For someone who hasn't been especially prolific in the league this season, Raguz has found comfort in this season's Europa League. The most pivotal of his five goals came during the knockout clash with AZ Alkmaar, and the 21-year-old striker will be one of the stars United will be keeping tabs on when the sides clash.
Gernot Trauner - Much of LASK's success this term has been built on a solid defensive unit, with the club conceding just 19 goals in their 20 league matches as well just five in their seven Europa League matches to date. Much of that can be credited to their club captain Trauner, who has been a rock in the heart of defence this campaign.
Dominik Frieser - The winger has been one of the standout performers for LASK this season, netting five goals in the league with a further three assists in just 19 outings. He's been instrumental in the club's surge to the top of the Bundesliga table, with his pace and strength in wide areas key to their success.
Thomas Goiginger - One the other flank, Goiginger is cut from similar cloth, with solid technical ability to match his forward partner. He's also chipped in with goals and assists this season, but is very much your typical winger who loves to get down the byline and swing crosses into the box.
What Can Manchester United Expect?
Since appointing
Employing wingers in his setup, he enjoys playing an expansive brand of football, where the wide midfielders can operate as both backup for the wingers, as well as cover for the full-backs if needed.
No team boasts a better defensive record than LASK in the league this season, with their lowly 19 goals conceded in 20 outings testament to the fine work of
Furthermore, what is interesting about their squad this season has been lack of one out-and-out goal machine. Sitting atop the Austrian Bundesliga, they've done so by sharing the goals among the squad, with no player registering higher than five league goals out of their overall tally of 44.
They're top of the league for a reason, which is especially impressive given the performances of Red Bull Salzburg this term, so to discount them from the tie already would be premature.
When Is the Tie Being Played & Where Can I Watch the Games on TV?
We have been drawn against LASK in the #UEL Round of 16.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 28, 2020
The matches are set to be played on 12 and 19 March 2020.#MUFC #UELdraw pic.twitter.com/Usm1sBGnCb
United will have to contend with an away leg first for this clash, which is due to be played on Thursday 12th March at the
Both games are being broadcast live in the UK by BT Sport.
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Source : 90min