Sturm Graz does not switch to administration mode in Bratislava

2024-02-21 14:43:27

Sturm Graz started the journey to Slovakia with a three-goal lead. There, the soccer runner-up wants to secure promotion to the round of 16 of the Conference League once morest Slovan Bratislava on Thursday (9 p.m./live ServusTV, Sky), but following the confident 4-1 in the first leg of the second round at home, the Slovakian record champions should by no means be underestimated. “We still have great respect,” emphasized coach Christian Ilzer.

The people of Graz started the bus trip to the Slovakian capital “with a good feeling,” as David Affengruber said before the departure on Wednesday. But the Styrians don’t want to switch to administration mode. “We will give everything to win,” emphasized the central defender. Ilzer added that the first leg had no influence on the tactics. “We cannot be passive and manage the result,” warned the coach.

The Black and Whites are supported by around 2,200 Sturm supporters in the risky game in the new national stadium, which has a capacity of 22,500 spectators. Promotion would be Sturm’s biggest international success in 23 years, when they made it into the second group phase of the Champions League, which was still being held at the time. In the third year of the Conference League, the cup winner would be the second Austrian team in the round of 16; in the premiere season two years ago, LASK also made it into the top 16 of the third highest UEFA competition.

In terms of personnel, Ilzer has plenty to draw from in Slovakia. Attacker Manprit Sarkaria is fit once more following muscle problems, right-back Jusuf Gazibegovic wants to fight through despite a deep flesh wound on his left ankle that he sustained in the game once morest Rapid. “I’m very glad that nothing more serious happened,” said Gazibegovic and emphasized: “None of us are thinking of underestimating the opponent.”

In any case, the Styrians should not be lacking in self-confidence following the spring started quite successfully with confident victories once morest Slovan and Austria Vienna (2-0) in the cup quarter-finals as well as two 1-1 draws in the league once morest Salzburg and Rapid. Meanwhile, the dominant Slovakian league leaders must score at least three goals on Thursday to force extra time.

“We can’t hope for a miracle,” emphasized Slovan coach Vladimir Weiss. It is a normal game and his team has to build on the good first half in Graz. In central defense, Weiss can rely on Kevin Wimmer once more, the former Rapidler was suspended in the first leg. “I hope we can do the impossible, but we can correctly assess the situation,” said Wimmer, who bought more than 60 tickets for friends and family. “It will be very difficult to score three more goals than them. But anything is possible in football.”

In the league, Slovan Bratislava gained some self-confidence with a 4-1 win once morest bottom side Zlate Moravce on Sunday. However, coach’s son Vladimir Weiss is suspended following his red card in Graz. If Sturm succeeds in his targeted promotion – UEFA is paying out 600,000 euros as a bonus – a group winner in the Conference League awaits in the round of 16. The possible opponents in the draw on Friday in Nyon would be Lille, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Viktoria Pilsen, FC Brugge, Aston Villa, Rapid conqueror Fiorentina, PAOK Saloniki or Fenerbahce Istanbul.

But first the three-goal lead in Bratislava should be maintained without much tremor, ideally with a win including points for the five-year standings. “The 4-1 win doesn’t change the respect for the opponent’s strengths, a top performance will be necessary,” said Ilzer.

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