In a storm, the current misery is, according to coach Christian Ilzer, a result of the constant English weeks. The team is already “on the gums”, said the Styrian. Until shortly before Christmas, the double burden – with the exception of the international break in November – will not change. “I no longer have the opportunity to turn around and control the loads. I have to push the players over there now – this starting line-up, which is now at the top, ”explained Ilzer.
“An extreme overcoming is waiting for his players in the coming weeks. It is a difficult phase. But difficult phases are also there to take the next steps. Above all, I think that the players are making great developments in the mental field. Dealing with the tasks is something that many have not experienced before. I hope that we will still benefit from it sometime in the season, ”said the storm supervisor.
Bundesliga, 13th round
Sunday, 2.30 p.m .:
Sturm – WAC
Graz, Merkur Arena, SR Hameter
Possible setups:
Sturm: Siebenhandl – Gazibegovic, Geyrhofer, Wüthrich, Affengruber – Kuen, Gorenc-Stankovic, Niangbo, Dante – Yeboah, Jantscher
WAC: Kofler – Jasic, Baumgartner, Lochoshvili, Dedic – Peretz, Liendl, Leitgeb, Taferner – Röcher, Vizinger
Wolfsberg would like to prolong run
Stefan Hierländer and Otar Kiteishvili, among others, are out against the WAC, and Alexandar Borkovic and Alexander Prass are also questionable. Defense chief Gregory Wüthrich recently had to struggle with adductor problems, but could get fit. This is one of the reasons why WAC coach Robin Dutt did not want to overestimate the opponents’ failures. “They don’t have that many injured. Only Hierländer and Kiteishvili are missing from the actual tribe, so I don’t expect any advantage at all. “
As third in the table, the Carinthians are five points behind the second-placed Grazers, whose previous season performances have been praised by Dutt. “For having the double burden, they did it very well. As of now they are deserving of the second force in the league. The next games will show whether they can keep that up, ”said Dutt.
His squad has won the last four competition games, on Tuesday there was a hard-fought 5-3 in the Cup after extra time in Lafnitz. “We want to continue our run, but we also know that the last few games have been close. We always have to go to our performance limits, ”demanded Dutt. His top striker Tai Baribo is at risk of being sidelined due to muscle problems in the thigh and adductor area.
Austria believes it is on the right track
Meanwhile, Vienna Austria believes that it is on the right course before the guest appearance in Tyrol. The 4: 1 against Ried a week ago gave the “Veilchen” self-confidence, and now they want to win in Innsbruck. “We now want to take the next step and celebrate our second win in a row. But we know how difficult it will be, ”emphasized coach Manfred Schmid. His troop have never succeeded in two “threes” en suite this season.
Bundesliga, 13th round
Sunday, 2.30 p.m .:
WSG Tirol – Austria
Innsbruck, Tivoli Stadion, SR Ciochirca
Possible setups:
WSG: Ozegovic – Koch, Behounek, Awoudja – Rogelj, Müller, Petsos, Smith – Blume, Sabitzer, Tomic
Austria: Pentz – Ivkic, Mühl, Handl, Suttner – Martel – Teigl, Braunöder, Fischer, Keles – Djuricin
While Austria recently moved up to fourth place, the Wattenern team also achieved an important success in the last round – the 1-0 win at FC Flyeralarm Admira gave LASK the red lantern. After this game, WSG coach Thomas Silberberger was outraged by his team’s performance before the break. “We’re not talking about Bundesliga suitability, but regional league suitability,” the Tyrolean grumbled immediately after the final whistle.
Silberberger calls for a reaction
The anger hadn’t really subsided on Friday either. “I’m still a little shaken. In my time as a trainer here, I have never seen someone hit the wall like that and give up like that, ”said the 48-year-old, referring to the WSG’s performance in the first 45 minutes. He now expects a clear reaction from his troops. “Because we want to beat Austria.”
Three points against the Viennese could be of great importance in several ways. “At the end of the regular round, if there is a tie, the direct duel counts, and we would have that for ourselves,” said Silberberger. The first duel between the two teams had ended 1: 1. Silberberger showed respect for the favorites. “They are relatively stable, almost always try to launch their attacks from positional play and have Djuricin in front, who is always good for a goal.”
