The Graz team first missed out on top players and then lost Stankovic early on with a red card against Hartberg. After Entrup’s 1-0, Kiteishvili made it 1-1 in a battle of nerves
the double contender.
Sturm Graz saved a potentially decisive point in the championship race. The double contender fought 1-1 (0-1) against TSV Hartberg after being outnumbered for over 80 minutes on Sunday in Graz. The series champions Salzburg, who then played against Rapid, had the opportunity to move within one point of Sturm. Two rounds remain to be played afterwards.
After a debatable exclusion for storm captain Jon Gorenc-Stankovic (9th), Maximilian Entrup initially caused shock in Graz (17th). A single action by Otar Kiteishvili resulted in the score being 1-1 (58th), which the 14,817 fans celebrated like a victory. Hartberg is still in fourth place, which entitles him to take part in the European Cup. Sturm will face LASK away from home and finally host Klagenfurt. Hartberg meets Salzburg at home and Rapid away.
Christian Ilzer tried every means possible as a coach. GEPA pictures / Chris Bauer
In contrast to the Cup, Sturm coach Christian Ilzer once again trusted Dimitri Lavalée in the left-back position and William Böving as Mika Biereth’s strike partner right from the start. Markus Schopp relied on Hartberg’s winning team against Klagenfurt.
The game began with a Sturm und Drang phase for the hosts. After just ten seconds, Alexander Prass was denied by Hartberg goalie Raphael Sallinger after Biereth’s header was extended. Biereth’s follow-up shot didn’t bring anything either. A little later, the Danish Arsenal loanee sent a header too centrally to Sallinger (5th).
A scramble
The key scene of the game followed. Stankovic rushed into a duel with Jürgen Heil with open soles and caught the TSV captain on the instep when he tried to play the ball (6th). Referee Christopher Jäger increased the penalty for the Sturm player from yellow to red after VAR intervention.
The exclusion noticeably dampened the hosts’ euphoria, and shortly afterwards it was at zero. The little-pressed Tobias Kainz found the unmarked Entrup, who remained ice cold in front of storm keeper Viteszlav Jaros after a remarkable ball handling (17th). The Graz team struggled for composure on the field and on the sidelines – assistant coach Uwe Hölzl saw yellow – then ÖFB team striker Entrup made it 2-0 in a suspicious offside position (21st).
Sturm struggled for a playful line, TSV, who were strong in combinations, almost followed suit. Mamadou Sangare rounded Jaros, Lavalée just cleaned it up (32′). Böving also missed Sturm’s third top chance (42nd), when Sturm finally changed his system to a more compact 4-4-1 on the field.
Both teams had their opportunities in the subsequent Graz border crossing. A goal from Hartberg’s Donis Avdijaj didn’t count because of offside (49′), while on the other side a Prass lob landed next to the orphaned goal (52′). 58th minute: Kiteishvili carries the ball from the center to the penalty area, has some luck with the ball and then beats Sallinger.
The Georgian’s individual action resonated, and Sturm then pushed for a home win. Hartberg waited for counterattack situations that rarely presented themselves. Kiteishvili unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty (75th), after which the tank of the long-running cup winner gradually seemed empty. Michael Steinwender headed a good chance for the visitors just wide of the goal (84′). Jaros recorded the point for Sturm. After a cross from Pfeifer, Gregory Wüthrich forced his goalkeeper to make a brilliant save (93′).
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