FC Lahti’s key player injured his head in a dangerous way – a relief from the team manager for EPN Urheilu

FC Lahti sought an away point from Seinäjoki, but it could be expensive. Goalkeeper Marin Ljubic, one of Lahti’s key players, was injured in the situation after the corner kick.

FC Lahti and SJK played a goalless draw in Seinäjoki, but the point tasted thin for the people from Lahti. FC Lahti goalkeeper Marin Ljubic was badly injured in the match, when he came to save the cross from the corner kick, SJK first got Terry Yegben a hand hit to his temple and after that he hit his head on the field as he fell to the ground.

Ljubic was carried off the field on a stretcher and taken to Seinäjoki Hospital for examination. Team leader Jussi Juurikka told Urheilu some reassuring news after the match: Ljubic is doing well, walking on his own two feet, but we still want to check his condition properly.

Lahti’s head coach Mikko Mannila didn’t see his goalkeeper’s injury or the situation properly, because he was standing 70 meters from the goal and there were several people in front of him. He therefore could not comment on the matter, nor whether, for example, Yegbe should have been given a card for the situation.

– Of course, if there is an injury, you can think about the consequences, Mannila said.

– But I’ve gotten better. We don’t hope for any injuries to any player, neither our own nor the visitors.

Mannila had to replace Ljubić with the promise of a goalkeeper who was only 18 years old Anton Munukan. Munukka, one of the national team goalkeepers in his age group, played in the goal of FC Lahti in the winter, but made his league debut in a tight position.

– He handled his first league minutes wonderfully, Mannila praised.

Although Munukka played well in his first league match, the possible absence of Marin Ljubic is a hard setback for FC Lahti. The Croatian, who went through the junior mill at Hajduk Split, has quickly shown himself to be a key player in the team.

– Injuries to key players are always a big setback, but for that we have these young players who then get to show their skills. But don’t get ahead of things, there’s no need to panic here.

FC Lahti started its Veikkausliiga season with three away matches, from which it achieved five points. Mannila is satisfied with the points balance, but the team has had setbacks primarily due to injuries.

– Today, I think we played good away football and our game plan worked well. There were injuries in the second period and certain role players just weren’t available today. It became a bit of survival, Mannila reflected.

– After the events of the second period, the away point is satisfying, but of course we always want to win games. Today, in the second period, we just didn’t have much chance to do that anymore.