The GAK Dominates Bundesliga Race as Hartberg and Sturm Face Challenges

The GAK, there is currently no doubt about it, is making giant strides towards the Bundesliga. For the first time since 2007, the Red Jackets would be playing in the top league again. Coach Gernot Messner’s team is already ten points ahead. The GAK has the best offense. The GAK has the best defense. The Graz team only had to admit defeat to Lafnitz; the game against Admira ended goalless. FAC and Kapfenberg are the two remaining opponents before half the season is played.

GAK celebrates against stripping in front of their own fans © GEPA pictures

In addition to their own form, what speaks for the GAK is that there are only seven points between second-placed Bregenz and twelfth-placed Horn. This means: While the people of Graz rush from victory to victory, their pursuers take points from each other. SV Ried has only lost two games – but has the GAK problem from last autumn: too many draws. “Ten points ahead is a great feeling,” says GAK sports director Dieter Elsneg. “We just have to stick with ourselves and, like in the 3-0 win against Stripfing, put in our performance.” The game against Burgenland would have been anything but easy. “The defeat in the derby was mentally difficult. But you have seen that it is a huge goal for the team to earn such games in the Bundesliga.”

Hartberg on course towards the master group

If the GAK is first class next season, three Styrian clubs will play in the top division. It is not to be expected that Hartberg could slide towards the relegation battle under coach Markus Schopp given the East Styrians’ outstanding form. Completely different: the course goes towards the master group. In the five seasons since the introduction of the championship and qualification group, 30 points have been enough for participation in the battle for the European Cup places four times, once – it was in the 2019/2020 Hartberg season – only 28. Now, ten rounds before the division In terms of table and points, the Hartbergers already have 22. There were three in the 3-2 win over Blau-Weiß Linz.

Dominik Prokop equalizes against Linz. © GEPA pictures

Fourth place is the reward for hard work. “We are right where we are,” says Donis Avdijaj. But the offensive player warns: “This can change quickly, after 14, 15, 16 games the world can look completely different.” The motto: “It’s not a matter of slowing down a single percent, but of continuing to improve,” says the offensive player. Schopp is convinced of this: “We grew in all the games,” says the Hartberger sports director and speaks of the “enormous development” that his team has made. And “a lot of room for improvement”. In front of the Hartbergers, a trio leads the Bundesliga.

Sturm despite a “more difficult phase” in the title race

Salzburg has taken the lead in the table again ahead of Sturm and LASK. Sturm coach Christian Ilzer speaks of a “more difficult phase” after the 1:3 against LASK in Linz. For the first time since the end of May, Graz have lost two Bundesliga games in a row. At that time, Graz would have had the chance to take the lead in the Bundesliga with a win in Salzburg. Now the Graz team have given up the lead in the table again. “It’s always easy to ride on a high, but when things get more difficult, we’re also called upon – that’s clear.”

Sturm lost against LASK – but is second in the table behind Salzburg © GEPA pictures

In the title fight, Ilzer speaks of an “absolute three-way battle” after the defeat. In addition to Sturm, Salzburg and LASK would be involved in this. “Thomas Sageder likes to be a little understated,” says Ilzer about his colleague. But LASK has defeated Salzburg and Sturm and is within striking distance in terms of points.

2023-11-07 04:01:05
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