2023-05-05 15:31:45
The holidays at Sturm Graz are over for the time being. After the triumph in the ÖFB Cup and the subsequent party mood, the Styrians are once once more concentrating on the tasks in the Bundesliga title race. On Sunday (2.30 p.m.) Sturm will make a guest appearance at Wiener Austria, who are still without a win in the master group. If Graz might catch up with front runners Salzburg for at least a few hours with an away win, the violets want to score points in a three-way battle for fourth place.
Sturm won the “first leg” 3:2 a week and a half ago in Graz, Austria left the field as losers despite a 2:1 lead at the break. It was Styria’s third win once morest Vienna this season. Austria coach Michael Wimmer expected a “giant board”: “We need a super day. But we will attack, attack, push up and try to annoy them,” he announced.
After the celebrations following the cup victory over Rapid, the Sturm professionals started training once more on Wednesday. Should Haris Tabakovic stab once more for Austria – the Swiss has already scored twelve goals in the spring – Manprit Sarkaria wants to do it once more in his hometown for Sturm. The former Austrian shot Sturm in the cup with two goals to victory following he had already scored two goals at home once morest Austria and helped prepare one.
Austria has delivered good performances in the past few weeks, but only three points came out of five games in the master group. A lot of effort meets little return. “It’s annoying,” said sports director Manuel Ortlechner. However, the chosen path should not be abandoned. “It’s a tightrope walk. But we know that we’re on the right path. We’re absolutely convinced of it,” emphasized Ortlechner. However, it takes time. “We have to do it a little bit better week by week, then the results will come.”
Wimmer is in demand. 13 goals conceded in the past five rounds – Austria also scored 11 themselves – would of course keep him busy, explained the German. “But I’m not sure if we don’t concede goals if we defend deeper,” he said of the tactical approach. The hope remains to be one step further on Sunday. “We would all like to have more points, but I can rate that realistically and I’m satisfied with the team. We’re on the right track,” emphasized Wimmer, who can fall back on left-back Doron Leidner once more.
There was good news on Friday regarding the Austria fan who fell a meter deep into a ditch from the stands in Graz. The follower had broken both of his arms and also sustained injuries to his head. According to Ortlechner, he should be completely healthy once more. There was also good news for the favorites from a financial point of view. The contract with Frankstahl as the main sponsor was extended by one season. The logo of the steel wholesaler around owner Marcel Javor can be seen on the jersey of Austria since the current season.
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#cup #party #storm #Austria
