Both Salzburg and Sturm fulfilled their duty last weekend with a 2-1 win over RZ Pellets WAC and a 4-0 thrashing of SCR Cashpoint Altach. In the table, Salzburg are one point behind leaders LASK with nine points, while Sturm are currently in third place, two points behind Linz.
Nevertheless, Salzburg coach Jaissle in particular was not in the mood to celebrate after the home win against Wolfsberger on Sunday. Because after a dominant first half, which was reflected not only in two goals, but also 70 percent ball possession and 11:0 corner kicks, the game slipped away from his players. “I’m absolutely not happy with the last half hour,” the German didn’t hide his anger.
Salzburg celebrates home win against WAC
The defending champions stayed close to leaders LASK with a 2-1 win over Wolfsberg
Salzburg is still looking for the level that has made it untouchable for years. “Unfortunately, we haven’t managed to play for the full 90 minutes,” said coach Jaissle about his previously fickle squad. For ÖFB team player Nicolas Seiwald, the many years of dominance may be the reason why the Salzburg kickers, like against WAC, when Dario Vizinger scored the goal in injury time, are not always on the last point: “Maybe because we thought that 90 percent would be enough.”
Ilzer struggles with the how
At least in terms of the result, it was not possible to interpret a lack of effort into Sturm’s 4-0 win at home against Altach. Nevertheless, coach Ilzer announced immediately after the game on Saturday that they would talk about “how to”. “The result is still the very best. The three points count,” a visibly dissatisfied Ilzer said after the second win of the season.
Because a class difference was not apparent to the storm coach, despite the clear result. Altach obligingly stood up to the favourites, who seemed to be exhausted, and came dangerously close to making it 1-1, but had the key scenes against them that day. For example, a strange yellow-red card for Dominik Reiter (67th), who was thrown off the field for two actions in one game scene – covered by the rules. Only after Altacher was excluded did Sturm close the sack.
Storm victory against Altach
The people of Graz were able to celebrate a clear 4-0 win against the guests from Vorarlberg
Hard test is imminent
A similar performance next Saturday could end not with a win but with a sensitive defeat. Because with the LASK, the current high flyer in the league is coming to Graz. Like Sturm, the Linzers are still undefeated, but they have one win more than the Styrians. In the fourth round, the Upper Austrians gained additional self-confidence with a 2-1 victory in the prestige duel against Rapid.
After all, in addition to the three points, Ilzer was also able to take home the realization that with 19-year-old new signing Emanuel Emegha and Moritz Wels, who was only 17 at all, two teenagers scored three of the four goals against Altach. In addition, striker Rasmus Höjlund underlined his top form with the opening goal. “We have a very good hierarchy,” said the storm coach, who was ultimately positive about the results from four Bundesliga games and European Cup appearances against Dynamo Kyiv: “With eight points in the program we had, I am overall satisfied.”