Sturm wants to “go all out” against Altach again

The Graz hospital has recently filled up considerably. Jusuf Gazibegovic, Jon Gorenc-Stankovic, Stefan Hierländer and David Schnegg suffered health problems during the week, but the quartet could still be fine until Sunday – in contrast to Alexandar Borkovic and Bryan Teixeira. On Thursday they paid a visit to the children’s cancer ward at the LKH in Graz and handed out gifts. Logically, that’s not what they plan to do against Altach. “No miracles can be expected from us on Sunday. But we want to get the basics right and show a unified team performance,” said Ilzer.

The sick, injured (Gregory Wüthrich, Seedy Jatta) and suspended players (Javier Serrano) present Ilzer with challenges, but for a seasoned team it should be fine. “In the situation you have to be flexible, not complain and have to make the best of it,” emphasized the coach, whose team is still in international demand four days later. Even a defeat at Sporting Lisbon could be enough to overwinter in the EL – if their competitor Rakow Czestochowa, who has the same points, also comes away empty-handed against Atalanta Bergamo.

“Mentally it’s not difficult,” said Ilzer with regard to the last few meters before the turn of the year. “Because there are still two cool games waiting for us in which we can still make good strides. The key is to be aggressive and snappy and get the most out of it,” explained the 46-year-old.

In contrast to Sturm, who recently had to accept a 1-1 draw against Blau-Weiß Linz, Altach goes into the game with a sense of achievement. The 3-0 win in the Ländle derby against Austria Lustenau was “a liberating blow,” explained defensive man Sandro Ingolitsch. Coach Joachim Standfest was also relieved and hopes for an upward trend. “We were very dynamic at the front, that’s where we want to start,” emphasized the former storm kicker. “We’re not going to Graz to leave the three points there.”

After a wild start to the season, promoted team Blau-Weiß Linz is looking forward to a relaxed Christmas season. With a home win against latecomers WSG Tirol, the lead over bottom team Austria Lustenau could be extended to 17 points. “We definitely want to go into the winter break with a win,” said coach Gerald Scheiblehner. Scheiblehner. He has to provide one of his most important men. Striker Ronivaldo has been forced to take a break after the rude foul by Graz player Javier Serrano in the 1-1 draw last week and will probably be replaced by Stefan Urlaub.

WSG coach Thomas Silberberger wants to stay in touch in the table and “slowly get on track”. He sees a “very big challenge” facing his chronically unsuccessful team. There is one win and three points from the last nine games, with a total of eight points you have to be happy about the inferior performance of bottom team Lustenau. “The fall was shitty in all respects,” said Silberberger succinctly. “We mustn’t lose under any circumstances, otherwise we’ll collapse.”