Sturm challenges Salzburg to a duel for first place

Champions Salzburg warned against losing the 13th round of the Bundesliga, as it was the only defeat of the season against Sturm. Graz celebrated a 2-1 home win on July 30 thanks to a brace from Rasmus Hoglund, who has since been sold out. Matthias Gisele’s team entered the first match with only two points. Speaking to the opponent, Gisley said, “They are doing well this season, big compliments to the coach and the team. They are going in the league like us.”

In the early season defeat, his team was not to bring the “essential virtues” onto the field. It should be different this time. “If we get to 100 percent, it will be very difficult for Sturm, otherwise, as we saw in the second round, the match could also end in Graz’s favour,” Gisley explained. It was not clear if injured defenders Andreas Olmer and Omar Sollett would be ready in time.

In any case, both teams enter the game with solid budgets and great self-confidence. Salzburg are unbeaten in 32 home games in the Bundesliga since their 2-3 win over Wydad on December 20, 2020. But the storm is also coming with a broad chest. After two draws against Lazio Rome, the Grazers added their fifth win in a row last Sunday, won the derby in the cup against GAK on Wednesday and want to oust the candidates with proven virtues.

“We want to fight an intense battle with Salzburg at their stadium and trust ourselves to be able to stay there the way we play. We are not going to Salzburg for sightseeing, we will win the game,” said Sturm coach Christian Elzer.

After the national hit, both teams will continue to international events next week. Sturm welcomes Feyenoord Rotterdam into Group F of the balanced European League, and Salzburg are in the First Division before Chelsea make a guest appearance in the promotion race.

Rapid Wien would also like to have such ball festivals, but instead there is an attempt to start fresh again. Zoran Barisic has fought a lot with the Viennese side over many years and in many positions, yet he will face the premiere on Saturday – against Austria Klagenfurt, the 52-year-old will be head coach of Hoteldorfer for the first time at the Allianz Arena. The comeback as coach was successful with a 4-1 win in the round of 16 at WSG Tirol, and now it has to be followed up – and all things against Peter Pacult’s side, with whom Barisic once worked as an assistant at Rapid.

Pacult doesn’t want to attach any great importance to the reunion. The 62-year-old explained: “Parisic’s duel against Pault should not be the focus. We will prepare and form the teams as best we can, but then the players on the field will decide which path to take.” . On the other hand, Barisic spoke of “a strange situation we face each other as coaches. I owe him a lot. He brought me to professional work as an assistant coach, it was three successful years together.”

The respect for the Klagenfurt team is also great. Parisic demanded: “They are very good at set pieces and they have a striker who scores from all positions (note: Marcus Pink). We have to be strong in the head, have patience and handle the ball well.” Vienna admitted he was “a little excited” ahead of his debut at the Allianz Arena. “I am very happy to be the coach on this pitch, I hope the players are equally happy and the joy of playing can be seen on the pitch. I am really looking forward to the match.”

In the first leg match against TSV Hartberg, WSG Tirol has a chance to overcome frustration. The 1:4 defeat at home to Rapid on Tuesday in the cup round of 16 hurt, but it must now be compensated for with a win in East Styria. All last four duels have gone to the WSG. “You also have to see how the matches went. I am very far from the title of ‘favourite’. It will be very difficult again, especially in Styria – although we won three out of four matches there and kept three clean sheets,” he said. WSG coach Thomas Silberger.

Hartbergers recently conceded a bitter 0:1 goal against Altach with a last minute goal, and three weeks ago they also lost to Austria Klagenfurt with a late goal. “It’s a clear sign that you have to finish matches if you want to take something with you that can be counted,” coach Klaus Schmidt said. Styria wants to leave the bottom of the table with his club as quickly as possible. Schmidt showed great respect to the Watteners. “They have a lot of energy, they play straight and can put a lot of pressure on the opponent.”