SK Sturm Graz is still in pole position in the race for third place in the Bundesliga champions group.
Both the Graz and LASK collect three points in the remote duel on Wednesday. While Linz had an easy game with WAC, Sturm had to tremble for victory at WSG Tirol until the last second, but ultimately prevailed 3-2 (match report >>>).
“This is not a bad time for the first away win in 2021. It puts us in a very good position for the two remaining games in this Bundesliga season,” said Sturm head coach Christian Ilzer after the game to “Sky”.
That was the key for Ilzer
After a somewhat sluggish initial phase, in which Sturm, according to Ilzer, “was not aggressive enough”, the can opener followed after a good half hour with a standard situation. “Winning the standard game against the WSG is always a key,” says Ilzer.
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“One of the keys today was that we took the lead from this set-piece situation. After that, our game became much more secure. We deservedly made it 2-0. After that, it was annoying that we brought Tyrol back into the game”, thinks the Styrian.
Ilzer: “We want a podium place”
Especially after the WSG 2: 3 in the final phase it got really tight again. “It was a real tremor. The WSG threw everything forward, but we then allowed relatively little and so I think that despite having more games for the WSG, we were more efficient in the end and the winners we deserved,” says Ilzer of the Tyroleans sprinkled a lot of roses after the final whistle.
“I have to compliment the WSG. The development they have taken, how they present themselves on the pitch, is extremely strong. They demanded everything from us. We are extremely happy that we won this away win,” said the storm – Head coach visibly relieved.
In the last two rounds, the motto of the Grazer is now to defend third place. The last two storm hurdles are Rapid and Wolfsberg. “We have to make sure that we stay on track and pull through our history and in the end take a really cool prize from the season. We want a podium position,” said Ilzer.
Silberberger: “Invited Sturm to score goals”
On the part of WSG Tirol, you naturally appear frustrated after the game. The hopes that they might still be able to intervene in the battle for third place were there, but after the bankruptcy against Sturm it is clear that this year you will not be able to get past fifth.
The Wattener showed a good performance over long distances against Sturm on Wednesday. “I think we saw my team perform well. Sturm was simply smarter because of these goals,” said WSG coach Thomas Silberberger.
“We invited Sturm to score goals at times. We had the game in our hands up to 1-0, we didn’t allow anything. After the goal we were paralyzed for ten minutes, we got the second goal. After that we always had an answer”, Silberberger actually only recognized a small period of weakness in his team.
Storm? “They were flat”
In the final phase, according to Silberberger, the WSG had earned more: “In the end we played storm against the wall, they were flat.” Thanos Petsos, who saw a dominant ball possession football of the WSG, is very similar.
“I think we invested a lot. We played our opponents tired with a lot of possession. From the 60th minute onwards there wasn’t much, it felt like eleven against zero. Ultimately, however, we weren’t powerful in the last third we were able to play out crucial situations in front of goal, “said Petsos.
Text which: © LAOLA1.at
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