Divided into four issues, we will provide you with a small interim conclusion on each player of the Blackys in the next few days. The average grades from all reading products, game data and our subjective opinion are included here. We wish a Lot of fun!
Photo: Martin Hirtenfellner Photography
The defense
Jon Gorenc-Stankovic (ø-SturmNetz Leserzeugnisnote: 1.9)
The 24-year-old Slovenian was mostly called up in defensive midfield under neo-coach Christian Ilzer and was always able to convince. Gorenc-Stankovic came to Sturm from the English club Huddersfield and was an absolute stroke of luck. The Slovenian defensive player was used in all games and was voted “Man of the Match” twice. Stankovic was always in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes in twelve games. The 24-year-old scored three goals in the Bundesliga and the Cup. With an overall grade of 1.9, Stankovic received the best overall grade of all field players and is one of the main people responsible for the strong defensive performance of the first part of the season. The Slovenian convinced in winter with his outstanding body language and was able to keep moving forward. Despite his young age, Gorenc-Stankovic was extremely tough and radiated an incredible calm. The Slovenian international not only has an excellent understanding of the game, but is also dangerous for goals. Gorenc-Stankovic is one of the front runners in most of Sturm’s set pieces and at one point or another could also contribute to dangerous actions. All in all, the Slovenian is a great asset to the team and has been convincing game after game with excellent performances. Nice to know to have a player of this quality in the squad until 2023.
Gregory Wüthrich (ø-SturmNetz Leserzeugnisnote: 2,11)
The Swiss central defender was used in twelve games and was always on the pitch over the full distance. Wüthrich joined the team from Perth Glory at the beginning of the season and is one of the top performers in Christian Ilzer’s formation. In addition to his outstanding positional play, Wüthrich impressed with his exemplary communication with his teammates. The arrangements with his defensive colleagues worked extremely well throughout the autumn season and so the 26-year-old Swiss was able to ensure the necessary calm and stability on the Graz defensive. With Wüthrich’s commitment, sports director Andreas Schicker did a lot right, which can be substantiated by the statistics of Sturm’s defense. Gregory Wüthrich was in the league in all games over 90 minutes and was able to contribute one goal. His game is characterized by excellent positional play and great qualities in the structure of the game, which makes the Swiss one of the building blocks for success in the team. The contract in Graz runs until summer 2022.
David Nemeth (ø-SturmNetz Leserzeugnisnote: 2,18)
The 19-year-old central defender has been part of the Graz defense since October, has played in nine games since then and has scored one goal. Despite his tender age, the young Mainz loaner defends extremely solidly and, together with his defensive colleagues, allowed very little over the entire autumn season. One or the other time, Nemeth’s positional play wasn’t always perfect, but the young Burgenlander didn’t make any big mistakes. All in all, the central defender made a good impression and could radiate goal danger in one or the other scene. The loan agreement with Mainz ends in the summer, participation in international business could perhaps help extend it.
Amadou Dante (ø-SturmNetz Leserzeugnisnote: 2,22)
The 20-year-old left-back from Mali came from Hartberg after his loan ended in the summer and has been a long-term runner in Christian Ilzer’s team ever since. Dante was in the starting line-up in all Bundesliga games and, with the exception of the encounter in Favoriten, where he had to leave the field after 70 minutes, completed the entire match. The Malian defensive player pays back the trust placed in him week after week with extremely strong performances. He is not only characterized by really good positional play, but also tries to go on the offensive several times. Dante shows a good understanding of the game and always manages to initiate attacks by winning the ball and changing passes. The 20-year-old occasionally makes minor inaccuracies on the ball, but that will improve by itself with every minute of match practice. Dante still has a contract until 2024 and can develop into a real pillar on the Graz defensive during this time.
Sandro Ingolitsch (ø-SturmNetz reading product rating: 2.46)
The 23-year-old right-back came from St. Pölten in the summer and since then has only missed one game because of a yellow-red card against Hartberg. In the remaining thirteen games Ingolitsch was always in the starting line-up and was able to contribute two assists. The former St. Pöltner is not only involved defensively in the game of Sturm, but is also increasingly involved in the offensive efforts of the Graz team. The interaction with his colleagues already works really well, there were hardly any dangerous situations for the Pongauer and his teammates. Ingolitsch can definitely be described as a modern full-back and has helped the Sturm squad to a new quality. The right-back has played a strong autumn season and has a contract in Graz until summer 2023.
Jusuf Gazibegovic (ø-SturmNetz reading product rating: 2.47)
The 20-year-old Bosnian came to Sturm from Liefering in autumn to reinforce the full-back position and has not yet been able to play his way into the regular team of Graz. This is not due to the potential of the young defensive all-rounder, who can be used both left and right, but simply because of the current strength of the Graz defense. Gazibegovic was allowed to play in nine games, but was mostly only substituted as a joker. He was in the starting line-up in two games and was most recently allowed to play over 90 minutes against FC Wacker in the second round of the Cup. The young full-back has a contract in Graz until summer 2023 and is definitely endowed with many qualities. If he manages to fully utilize his potential in the course of the next few games, he too could be one of the top performers in Sturm’s defense in the future.
Niklas Geyrhofer (inserted too briefly)
The 20-year-old self-made player played 45 minutes in the ÖFB-Cup against SV Innsbruck and was used in the 2nd and 3rd round over the full playing time. Geyrhofer left a pretty confident impression and hardly made any mistakes. The young central defender then tore his ankle ligaments and missed the rest of the fall season. It is to be hoped that Geyrhofer will soon be fit again and be able to continue his performance. His contract runs until summer 2022.
Paul Komposch (inserted too briefly)
The 19-year-old self-made central defender was substituted on for five minutes in the 4th round in a 4-0 home win against Altach and was on the pitch for a quarter of an hour in the cup against SV Innsbruck. In the remaining games he was not in the squad. Komposch recently extended its contract in Graz to summer 2023 and could soon play an important role in Christian Ilzer’s long-term project.
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