2024-08-24 19:37:39
Champions Sturm Graz have recorded three consecutive wins in the Bundesliga to catch leaders Red Bull Salzburg on points. The double winners defeated SCR Altach 2-1 (0-0) at home in front of 12,875 spectators on Saturday night. Graz didn’t always perform well in the match, but goals from Mika Bireth (65th) and Tommy Horvath (78th) were enough to take the three points. Lukas Gugganig’s Altach goal came too late (87th).
Storm coach Christian Ilze named two 19-year-olds into the starting XI. Lovro Zvonarek started in attacking midfield instead of William Böving, and Amady Camara started in attack instead of Seedy Jatta. After the recent wins over LASK (2:1) and against WAC (2:0), Altach coach Joachim Standfest used the same starting eleven for the third consecutive time, with goalkeeper Gustavo Santos at the heart of the attack.
In the evening, when the temperature was still only 30 degrees, the Graz people set off in high spirits. Horvat was introduced to Altach goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic in the first minute. On the other side, Santos’ long throw-in kick hit the crossbar (4th time). The Brazilian has scored all five of Altach’s goals so far this season and is top of the goalscoring charts, but he came up empty-handed for the first time in the league in Graz.
Zvonarek set the tone several times, but the Bayern loanee’s shot from the edge of the area went over the top (17th time). Bires missed the Storm’s biggest chance before halftime. After Dimitri Lavalee’s cross (25′), the Dane headed the ball into the arms of Stojanovic without any objection. In return, Storm Keeper Kjell Scherpen had to intervene for the first time when Lukas Fadinger tried. Sturm tried to keep up the pressure but initially couldn’t find a way against Altach’s defensive column.
After the break, Graz looked a little more determined. After a VAR decision, Byreth’s first goal did not count because Ravalli participated in the creation of the opportunity through a volley pass and was clearly offside (61′). Four minutes later, the 21-year-old once again dusted off Zvonarek after being tackled by Stojanovic and celebrated his third goal of the season.
Artak didn’t give up. Substitute Sofiane Bahloul’s shot went wide (75′). Horvat hit a typical shot from the edge of the penalty area into the lower right corner to make it 2-0. Altach defender Guganig ensured the excitement of the game when his corner kick from Bahloul crossed the line at the end of the game. The best chance to equalize the score was Santos’ shot, but it was saved by Serpen (92′).
Sturm further improved on his excellent record against Altach. Graz is unbeaten in nine head-to-head matches. They have won 17 of 21 games at home against Vorarlberg in the Bundesliga. In the past 15 official games, the Ilze team has lost only one game across the season. Recently beat Hartberg and Austria Klagenfurt 2-0 – albeit with some luck.
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