THE WARNING THAT HAS CELTIC FANS WORRIED
LASK captain Sascha Horvath has sent a bold message to Celtic ahead of the second leg, insisting that his side are capable of turning around their 3-0 deficit when the two teams meet again in Linz.
Celtic produced an impressive performance in the first leg, putting themselves in a commanding position with a three-goal advantage. But despite the scoreline, Horvath believes the tie is far from finished.
The Austrian captain has made it clear that LASK are not travelling into the second leg simply to make up the numbers.
Instead, they believe they can produce a remarkable comeback on home soil.
LASK Refuse to Give Up
A three-goal deficit would normally put a team in an extremely difficult position, particularly against a Celtic side that showed plenty of attacking quality in Glasgow.
But Horvath believes LASK created enough opportunities in the first match to give his teammates confidence.
The Austrian side had moments when they threatened Celtic’s goal, and that will give them encouragement heading into the return fixture.
Their message is simple: score early, put Celtic under pressure and make the visitors question their advantage.
For Celtic, that is exactly the scenario they will want to avoid.
Why Celtic Cannot Become Complacent
Celtic’s 3-0 victory gives them a huge advantage, but the job is not officially finished.
European football has produced countless examples of seemingly comfortable leads disappearing when the second leg takes an unexpected turn.
A quick LASK goal could completely change the atmosphere inside the stadium.
If the hosts manage to score twice before Celtic settle into the game, the pressure would increase dramatically. Every Celtic mistake could then become magnified, while every LASK attack would carry greater danger.
That is why Celtic’s approach in Linz will be crucial.
They cannot simply sit back for 90 minutes and hope their three-goal advantage survives.
Horvath Believes LASK Can Hurt Celtic
Horvath’s confidence comes from what LASK managed to create during the first encounter.
The LASK captain believes his team can cause Celtic problems if they are more clinical in the return leg.
That is something Celtic’s defenders will undoubtedly have noted.
The Scottish side will know that LASK are likely to start aggressively, attempting to take advantage of home support and establish momentum from the opening whistle.
Celtic’s challenge will be to remain calm, defend intelligently and avoid giving the hosts an early opening.
The Psychological Battle
There is also a significant psychological element to the second leg.
Celtic will enter the match knowing that they have already done most of the hard work.
LASK, meanwhile, have nothing to lose.
That can make the Austrian side dangerous.
If they score early, belief will spread around the stadium. The home supporters will become increasingly involved, and Celtic could suddenly find themselves defending against a wave of pressure.
But there is another side to the equation.
If Celtic score first, LASK would need four goals simply to force the tie into a different situation. A Celtic goal could therefore prove devastating to the hosts’ hopes.
That is why the opening stages could be so important.
Celtic’s European Experience Will Be Tested
The return match will provide another opportunity for Celtic to demonstrate that they can handle pressure away from home.
European football demands concentration from the first minute until the last.
Celtic cannot afford to become distracted by Horvath’s comments or the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Instead, they must concentrate on their own game plan.
A disciplined performance could see them control the match and gradually take the emotion out of the contest.
The Pressure Is Now on LASK
Despite Horvath’s confidence, the reality is that LASK face an enormous challenge.
Turning around a 3-0 deficit against Celtic would require an exceptional performance.
They would need to score at least three times without conceding, and potentially more depending on how the tie develops.
That is a huge task.
Celtic therefore remain strong favourites to progress based on the first-leg result.
But football rarely follows a script.
That is why Horvath’s warning has added another layer of intrigue to the second leg.
One Goal Could Change Everything
The first goal in Linz could have an enormous impact.
If Celtic find the breakthrough, LASK’s comeback hopes would become even more difficult.
But if the home side strike first, the pressure could immediately shift.
Celtic’s players will need to remain mentally strong regardless of what happens.
The supporters travelling to Austria will also play their part, creating an atmosphere that could become intense if LASK start quickly.
The Verdict
Sascha Horvath has made his feelings clear: LASK believe they can score four goals at home and turn the tie around.
Whether that confidence is justified remains to be seen.
Celtic have already given themselves a massive advantage, and their three-goal lead means they remain firmly in control of the tie.
But the Scottish champions cannot afford to treat the return match as a formality.
LASK will attack.
The home crowd will demand a response.
And Celtic will have to remain focused for the full 90 minutes.
The Austrian captain has thrown down the challenge.
Now Celtic have the opportunity to answer it on the pitch.
Can LASK pull off the impossible comeback, or will Celtic complete the job in Linz?