One day after most of the other Bundesliga clubs, Sturm Graz also started the first team training session during the Corona pandemic on Saturday. After two PCR tests, most recently on Thursday, there was the green light on Friday: all tests were negative. Coach Nestor El Maestro gathered the entire team for training for the first time since March 10.
Before that, club doctor Maximilian Kerl had given the team health instructions and also pointed out the pioneering role in society. A total of around 30 people gathered at the training site in Messendorf and had a lot of fun.
“It was an insane joy today, like a ceremony. Today we felt like six and seven year olds who can run after a ball again after a long time,” said captain Stefan Hierländer. The team training was missing a lot and was essential for the game. “I see it as a privilege to be able to start the season again, to finish the championship sportily, to have a fair table at the end of the day.”
Center-back Lukas Spendlhofer was also full of joy. “It was great fun today. We have to make good use of the 18 days until the start of the championship.” Sturm will meet the WAC at home on June 3 at the start of the championship round.
Coach El Maestro has said good work in recent weeks given the circumstances. “In the end it’s about being better prepared compared to the opponent and I hope we did it.” Training with the ball didn’t have to be completely suspended. “Technically, my players haven’t forgotten anything. But now we have to work purposefully and get used to duels.”
Nestor El Maestro on LASK: “Don’t feel like a judge”
Of course, everyone has a clear opinion with regard to the LASK. “The LASK cheated, but I don’t feel like a judge,” said El Maestro, adding, “we all struggled to keep the force happy with these rigorous guidelines. But we worked with the awareness that everyone else has the same prerequisites. If that’s not the case, as with LASK, it’s cheating. “
Hierländer sees it the same way: “It goes against the fair play idea and that is to be strongly condemned. It is not fair against other teams, but I will not pay the penalty.” Spendlhofer spoke of “once again” a negative highlight in Austrian football. “We are all in the same boat, it was very selfish from LASK.”
Kiril Despodow was also in training. The Bulgarian striker underwent ankle surgery in February, but is “physically in very good condition,” according to Maestro.
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