In front of 15,400 spectators in the sold-out Merkur Arena, Ajeti successfully scored the golden goal against city rivals in the 65th minute. The previous derby in May 2007 was also won by Sturm 1-0. The Bundesliga team’s victory was also okay due to the distribution of chances. For example, Manprit Sarkaria hit the post in the final quarter of an hour.
The GAK, which is currently active in the 2nd division, kept Sturm away from the goal for a long time with a defensive tactic, but could hardly set any offensive accents themselves. The “Red Devils” only managed to put Sturm under pressure in the final phase, but were unable to create any compelling scoring chances except for a free kick from Michael Liendl in added time.
Sarkaria to the pole (89th minute)
The substitute offensive man flicked the ball onto the bar just before the end of regulation time.
Match winner Ajeti was more than satisfied with the result despite the close result. “We knew it was going to be a difficult game. But we also knew that if we brought our quality onto the pitch, we would win this game. We have shown patience. Our fans have always had our back. We gave them the win,” said the Swiss in an ORF interview and at the same time was already looking at the next hit in the Bundesliga. “It’s happening in quick succession, now it’s time for Salzburg to recover.”
Smoke halts operation
After all, the fears of the security forces of riots between the rival fan groups before the game were not fulfilled. And that despite numerous provocations, such as a pig carcass painted red on a motorway bridge. In the stadium itself, however, the fans repeatedly held up the game with Bengal and the resulting smoke. Because of the poor visibility, the game started a few minutes late.
On the field, the second-placed Sturm squad in the Bundesliga dominated the game, as expected, but hardly got into the last zone, also because the final pass didn’t arrive and because the big outsider, who was given the first chance by ex-Sturm kicker Benjamin Rosenberger found (12th), in the defensive with a five-man chain was very orderly and allowed few opportunities to finish. The most dangerous thing was an Ajeti header (18′), the striker’s shot went wide (26′) and a Prass shot was too weak (36′).
Storm offensive still ignites
Shortly after the change of sides, the game was briefly interrupted again because numerous pyrotechnics had been ignited again. As a result, a flag in the storm sector was also set on fire, but the game could continue. Little changed in the game, Sturm set the tone, but continued to struggle. Ajeti failed to get a header on goal, and Jakob Jantscher, who was in the starting line-up, also missed the ball at the far post (55′).
Ajeti just wide of the goal
The Swiss headed just wide of the GAK goal in the 55th minute.
Ten minutes later, the Storm Annex was redeemed. After a long pass from Ljubic, Ajeti skilfully lifted GAK goalie Christoph Nicht and then put the ball into the empty goal. The ninth-placed team in the 2nd division almost forced an extension, when experienced Liendl free-kicked from 17 meters out, storm goalkeeper Jörg Siebenhandl parried brilliantly to the corner (93rd) and thus recorded the same result as in the last derby 15 years ago.
“Jörg made his big appearance at the end when Liendl gave him a free kick,” said Sturm coach Christian Ilzer, praising his goalkeeper and criticizing the referee. Ultimately, the Styrian was able to breathe a sigh of relief, as did the fans of his team. “A perfect backdrop, as a city derby deserves. But we really struggled to get this win,” summed up the Styrian, whose eleven travel to Bundesliga leaders Salzburg on Saturday.
ÖFB Cup, Round of 16
Wednesday:
NO – Sturm 0:1 (0:0)
Graz
Thor: Verses (65)
Blue White Linz – WAC 1: 3 (0: 1)
Linz
Goals: Ronivaldo (83′) and Schiffrl (34′), Baribo (47′), Malone (48′)
Tuesday:
WSG Tirol – Rapid 1:4 (1:1)
Wattens
Goals: Sabitzer (37′) and Grüll (6′), Kerschbaum (74′), Druijf (76′), Zimmermann (84′)
Missed penalty: Sabitzer (WSG/55.)
Horn – Ried 2:3 (2:0)
Horn
Goals: Yilmaz (16′), Mijic (18′) or Chabbi (53′), Nutz (68′), Kragl (91′)
Red card: Hoffmann (24th/Horn)
FAC – LASK 1:2 (1:1)
Wien
Goals: Monsberger (39′) or Renner (23′), Goiginger (89′)
Dornbirn – Austria Klagenfurt 1: 2 (1: 1)
Dornbirn
Goals: Renan (39′) and N. Wimmer (18′), Cvetko (82′)
