The Schopp team proved that the Hartbergers are capable of causing problems for Sturm in their 1-1 home draw against Graz a month ago. Even during the 2-1 defeat in Graz in the fall, TSV switched on “uncomfortable” mode for long stretches. “The team is excited for the game and then you really have to bring it to the pitch. “It will be important for us to be as unpleasant as possible for 90 or 95 minutes,” said Schopp, quietly hoping for a surprise.
“We have to be more efficient in our options and defend even more resolutely,” is the approach of the 50-year-old, who can draw on the full range of personnel. Losses of the ball and opposing set pieces should be avoided as much as possible against Graz. “They can hurt you right away.”
Schedule and table
Bundesliga, 26th round
Sunday, 2.30 p.m.:
Hartberg – Sturm Graz
Hartberg, Profertil Arena, SR Kijas
Possible lineups:
Hartberg: Sallinger – Heil, Compost, Bowat, Pfeifer – Diakite – Fillafer, Avdijaj, Sangare, Prokop – Enthrop
Sturm: Jaros – Gazibegovic, Affengruber, Wüthrich, Lavalee – Gorenc Stankovic – Horvat, Kiteishvili, Prass – Biereth, Böving
Heaps of praise for Sturm
Schopp commented full of praise on the sporting development of his former club. “For me, this season’s Sturm is better than the original. The last few seasons were somewhere very identical to Salzburg, very similar. But this year you have to be honest: Sturm is having a really great season.”
Accordingly, you have to be careful on Sunday. “They will come along with the absolute conviction that nothing will burn, and we have to be prepared for that. That makes it a special game against a special team.”
Sturm takes on the role of favorite
Coach Christian Ilzer’s team plans to use their typical pressing. “Hartberg is a very dangerous opponent. You have to give this team the utmost respect. As a small club with limited opportunities, they have managed to absolutely deserve to be in the championship group,” said Ilzer. “Despite all of this, we are going into this match as favorites and want to do justice to our role.”
In Hartberg, Jon Gorenc Stankovic is available again after serving his suspension. After the disappointment in the league against Salzburg (0-1), April has so far gone according to plan for Sturm, including revenge against the champions (4-3 win in the cup semi-finals). Things should now continue in this tone in Hartberg, before Rapid twice and the “Bulls” once in the league and finally Rapid again in the cup final.
