Sturm Graz will ensure a perfect starting position for the second leg of the second round of the Conference League on Thursday. There is a 4-1 home win against Slovan Bratislava (match report >>>).
After just a few minutes it was 1-1, but Gorenc-Stankovic gave Sturm a lead at the break.
In the second half, further goals from Kiteishvili and substitute Camara ensure a comfortable cushion for the second leg.
LAOLA1 distributes grades to all Sturm players (1=Very Good, 2=Good, 3=Satisfactory, 4=Sufficient, 5=Not Satisfactory).
VITEZSLAV JAROS – 90 Minuten – Rating: 3
Was unfortunate when conceding an early goal in the 8th minute, timing his run out badly and allowing himself to be outplayed too easily by Rodrigues. But he made up for his mistake in the first half and came out much better a little later, closing the angle for the opponent. After half an hour he brilliantly parried a powerful long-range shot. He didn’t have to prove his skills in the second half.
JUSUF GAZIBEGOVIC – until 83rd minute, yellow – grade: 2
As always, he was deployed as a right-back in the back four. He did his job well on defense and often contributed well to the offense. Tried a long-range shot in the first half, but didn’t hit the ball optimally. In the second half, his attack provoked Vladimir Weiss’ red card, rounding off a good day’s work.
DAVID AFFENGRUBER – 90 minutes, assist – grade: 2
Was often running behind in the first half. Long balls from Slovan often posed problems for the storm defense. His best action in the first half came on the offensive, with his perfect header assist for Gorenc-Stankovic, he made it 2-1. Very confident performance in the second half, always stood well, defended strongly in the last line of defense and left nothing to be desired.
GREGORY WÜTHRICH – 90 minutes – grade: 2
Started the game with a real sugar pass, his opening pass to Biereth made it 1-0. Afterwards, he was often surprised by long balls from the guests with suboptimal positional play. But he made a strong save against Rodrigues on the line and thus prevented the score being 1:2. Bomb-proof performance in the second half, stood securely and, together with his defensive colleagues, did not allow the Slovaks to make any more memorable attacks.
DIMITRI LAVALEE – 90 Minuten – Note: 2
Surprisingly, he was called up as a left-back in the back four on Thursday, but he does his job confidently. Defensively, the entire Sturm defense struggled a bit in the first half hour, including Lavalee, but became more and more stable after that. There wasn’t much to see from the Belgian offensively; he was mainly concerned with protecting defensively.
JON GORENC-STANKOVIC – 90 Minutes, Tor – Notes: 1
Strong performance from the Slovenian, who provided the necessary stability in the defensive midfield. Especially in the second half, Sturm dominated the action in midfield, Gorenc-Stankovic organized, closed spaces and controlled the game from the center. However, his most important moment came in the first half, with his header in the 27th minute, he gave Sturm a 2-1 lead – and brought the previously turbulent game back to Graz’s side.
TOMI HORVAT – 90 minutes, two assists – grade: 1
The second Slovenian in the starting line-up also had a really strong evening. After just a few minutes, Horvat’s pass to Biereth made it 1-0. The 24-year-old was also heavily involved in Graz’s offensive game, was very busy and also scored several times. However, he was denied by Trnovsky both with a long-range shot in the first half and with a much better opportunity from close range a half later. Camara prepared the final point with a flat cross.
ALEXANDER PRASS – encore 83. Minute – Note: 2
Once again one of the most active players on the pitch! Worked and created a lot for his team. With a soulful cross to Biereth, he almost set up the second goal, but also tried it on his own, but his solo got stuck in the penalty area. He also came close to scoring with a powerful free kick. He ran and struggled a lot, but also had the occasional lack of attention in the build-up game.
OTAR KITEISHVILI – bis 83. Minute, Tor – Note: 2
Wasn’t necessarily the most noticeable “Blacky” in the first round, but he made a lot of important meters, often made himself available and opened up space. In the second round he became a little more specific, including serving Sarkaria with his best chance. A little later he took a penalty, cleverly splashed in in front of his opponent and forced the whistle. Took responsibility and finished as dry as dust to make it 3-1.
MANPRIT SARKARIA – bis 59. Minute – Note: 3
He also had his feet involved in the opening goal and drained it perfectly for Horvat. He was also well integrated into Graz’s offensive game and was an important passing partner in the combination game. He only had a really dangerous finish himself once, namely in the second half. However, his powerful shot from close range was denied by Slovan goalkeeper Trnovsky. Shortly afterwards he made way for Böving.
MIKA BIERETH – bis 71. Minute, Tor – Note: 2
Achieved the important can opener after just a few minutes. The Dane showed his finishing qualities with his fine finish into the short corner. Was very busy, well integrated into the game and always found opportunities to finish in the first half. He put a header past the goal from a good position, but shortly before the break the angle became a bit too acute for him. In the second round he disappeared a bit and didn’t come to the fore anymore.
WILLIAM BÖVING – ab 59. Minute – Note: 3
Came on for Sarkaria after an hour, but he was no longer able to have a big impact on the game. Was very hardworking, but not determined in the final third.
SZYMON WLODARCZYK – ab 71. Minute – Note: 3
He was also no longer able to put his stamp on the game, but once had a good header opportunity with his back to the goal, but he put the ball just wide.
AMADY CAMARA – ab 83. Minute, Tor – Note: 1
Actually almost “played too short”, he crowned his short appearance with a courageous finish in stoppage time that landed perfectly in the near corner – and thus scored his debut goal for the “Blackies” first team.
STEFAN HIERLÄNDER – from 83rd minute – Note: used too briefly
MAX JOHNSTON – from 83rd minute – Note: used too briefly
What do you think of this article?
2024-02-15 20:54:53
#Grades #Individual #criticism #Sturm #Graz #Slovan #Bratislava
