LASK vs Celtic decide Champions League spot

The football world is turning its eyes to the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, Austria, where LASK and Celtic face each other this Tuesday, the 25th, at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) for the second leg of the Champions League 2026/27 playoffs. The tie is decisive and decides one of the last tickets to the coveted league phase of the European competition, which explains the high volume of searches on the subject.

The Scottish advantage

Celtic arrive for the match in a comfortable position, having won the first leg 3‑0. The game took place in Glasgow last Wednesday, and the Scottish side built a large lead with goals from Benjamin Nygren and two from Camilo Durán. With that result, Celtic can afford to lose by up to two goals and still secure their passport to the Champions League group stage. Coach Martin O'Neill, however, reminded that despite the advantage, qualification is not guaranteed and asked Celtic for total humility. He said: "We simply cannot sit back and defend; that is not our intention at all. After all, LASK is a formidable team. Therefore, we expect a very tough night."

LASK's home challenge

For LASK, the mission is Herculean in front of its fans. The Austrian team, led by coach Dietmar Kühbauer, needs to overturn the three‑goal deficit to force extra time or win by four or more goals to advance directly. In the first encounter, despite the loss, the Austrian side created several chances early on. Kühbauer is banking on the offensive posture shown in the first leg to turn those chances into goals at the Raiffeisen Arena. The coach highlighted: "In the first leg we lost 3‑0, but we had countless opportunities. Our team showed attitude. For the return, we know we need an extraordinary performance and a lot of efficiency to get through. In any case, we will not lower our heads at any moment."

Team form and key players

Celtic are in an even more consistent spell. Besides the 3‑0 triumph over LASK, the Scots have won their previous commitments: 4‑0 against Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup, 5‑1 over Kilmarnock and 1‑0 against Dundee in the domestic league. That makes four consecutive victories in official matches, with 13 goals scored and only one conceded. One of Celtic’s stand‑outs is Camilo Durán, who scored twice in the first leg and has reached six goals in his last six Champions League outings, including the preliminary rounds. The Colombian, now fully fit, will lead the attack alongside Høgh and Hyun‑Jun.

Before the Champions League defeat, LASK had been posting good results in the Austrian league. The team thrashed SV Ried 4‑1 at home and earlier beat Austria Vienna 2‑0 away. Dietmar Kühbauer’s side therefore aims to recapture the offensive efficiency they have shown domestically this Tuesday.

Absences and probable line‑ups

For the decisive clash, Celtic will be without striker Jota, sidelined with a serious right‑knee injury. LASK, on the other hand, will miss Ramiz Harakate.

The most likely line‑ups are:LASK: Jungwirth; Mbuyamba, Alemão and Andrade; Jorgensen, Danek, Ljubicic, Horvath and Bello; Usor and Adeniran. Coach: Dietmar Kühbauer.Celtic: Sinisalo; Donovan, Carter‑Vickers, Trusty and Tierney; Nygren, McGregor and Baur; Camilo Durán, Høgh and Hyun‑Jun. Coach: Martin O'Neill.

Where to watch and officiating

The LASK‑Celtic second‑leg playoff will be broadcast on Space and HBO Max. The match will be refereed by Szymon Marciniak of Poland, assisted by Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik, also Polish. The VAR will be Pol van Boekel from the Netherlands.

Information from VEJA, LANCE!, Terra.