Yaya Touré addresses Slovan squad fatigue ahead of LASK match

ŠK Slovan Bratislava enters Tuesday’s fourth round of the UEFA Champions League ligová fáza without a single point after three matches and an aggregate goal difference of minus thirteen. The Slovak champions face LASK Linz at the Oberösterreich Arena at 21:00 CET, looking to reverse a campaign that opened with a 1:6 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, a 0:3 home loss to Stuttgart, and a 0:4 defeat at AS Roma.

UEFA Ban Blocks Slovan Fans From Linz Stadium

Slovan supporters will be absent from the 19,000-capacity Oberösterreich Arena due to a disciplinary sanction imposed by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The punishment stems from fan disturbances during the match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Slovan appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting a suspension of the ticket sales ban for away matches, but CAS dismissed the motion. The club confirmed that a 40,000-euro fine also accompanies the sanction, and Ticketportal will process voucher refunds for affected travelers. All fans who purchased a voucher for the away sector and have not yet requested cancellation are asked to wait, as Ticketportal will send an email during Tuesday, November 3, 2026, detailing the exact procedure for obtaining a refund.

Yaya Touré Weighs Squad Fatigue and Missing Personnel

Yaya Touré manages a depleted roster following a demanding domestic schedule that included a 2:1 victory in Podbrezova on Saturday and a 2:0 win over AS Trenčín on Wednesday. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Touré stated that long-term absentee Kucharevyč and Alasana Yirajang remain unavailable. “It’s a pity, because on Tuesday we will need speed, he would have suited us,” Touré said regarding Yirajang, while adding that Roman Čerepkai also remains sidelined. Touré noted that the team must match LASK in intensity and aggressiveness to make it a fifty-fifty match, acknowledging that LASK is a direct, active, and counter-attacking side that knows how to change formations. He also reflected on the COVID-19 pandemic era when stadiums were empty, noting that while Tuesday will feature a full stadium of LASK supporters without Slovan fans present, the team will still fight for their supporters who always stand by them.

Yaya Touré addresses Slovan squad fatigue ahead of LASK match
Photo: Pravda

LASK Linz Defends Unbeaten Momentum After Sporting Victory

LASK Linz enters the fixture following a surprise 3:2 away victory against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, positioning the Austrian champions on the edge of the top 24 qualification spots. Head coach Dietmar Kühbauer warned against complacency during his press conference, noting that his team cannot view any opponent as an easy task. LASK previously recorded a home defeat against Liverpool and a play-off win over Celtic. Kühbauer rested two-meter-tall striker Saša Kalajdžič during a domestic league match against WSG Tirol specifically to prepare him for the Slovan encounter. Kühbauer stated, “Winning would write a story that would be amazing,” noting that the team can reach a great position, while Dutch midfielder Xavier Mbuyamba added that it is a match without a clear favorite where Slovan wants its first three points and LASK wants to increase its tally to six.

Kevin Wimmer Confronts His Former Development Club

For Slovan defender Kevin Wimmer, the fixture carries personal significance as he meets the club where he progressed through youth categories and made his senior professional debut. The 33-year-old center-back addressed reporters alongside Touré on Monday. LASK and Slovan meet in official competition for the first time in history, with Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumšas officiating the fixture alongside assistants Radiuš and Sužiedelis.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Match

What time does the match start and where is it played?

The UEFA Champions League fixture between LASK Linz and ŠK Slovan Bratislava begins at 21:00 CET on Tuesday at the Oberösterreich Arena in Linz.

LASK nechce podceniť Slovan
Photo: Flashscore.sk

Which referees will officiate the encounter?

A team of Lithuanian officials leads the pitch management, with Donatas Rumšas serving as the main referee, supported by assistant referees Radiuš and Sužiedelis.

What are the subsequent fixtures for LASK Linz in the tournament?

Following the match against Slovan, LASK travels to Norway to face Bodø/Glimt, followed by fixtures against Fenerbahçe at home, Real Madrid away, and FC Porto at home.