It’s a late fight for the defending champions. In the penultimate round, the “Bulls” overran Hartberg for the third time this season with 5:1 (the fourth duel of the season ended with a 3:2 win). In the previous three games, Salzburg had suffered defeats against Austria Klagenfurt and Rapid and a draw against Sturm. Maintaining the series – all ten titles since 2013/14 have gone to Salzburg – had become a very distant prospect in view of these upsets.
But in Hartberg, Salzburg showed passion and self-confidence and presented themselves in front of the opposing goal with somnambulistic security, almost as before. Karim Konate scored three goals, but there could have been more. “At the moment I’m just feeling lucky because I saw a real team on the pitch. A team that marches properly, that is not above taking the last meter to defend everything,” said coach Onur Cinel.
Title decision postponed
Sturm Graz still has to wait to be crowned champions. The league leaders only managed a 2-2 draw at LASK, the lead over defending champions Red Bull Salzburg, who won 5-1 in Hartberg, dwindled to two points. The decision in the title fight will be made in the last round on Sunday.
“Today you saw who Salzburg are,” said defender Samson Baidoo. “I would say the team was on their own and wanted to show that they can do better,” said sports director Bernhard Seonbuchner. In any case, the rumor that there was a pronounced group formation and animosity in the squad was not given any new breeding ground on Sunday. The losses of goalkeeper Alexander Schlager and Mads Bidstrup were also dealt with well.
“The pressure is more stormy”
The plan was to ignore what was happening around Sturm Graz and just do your own job. It was important “that we play our game, that we get the game on our side,” said Seonbuchner. Because the necessary luck in the result also came along, the showdown against the in-form LASK awaits, while Sturm plays at home against Austria Klagenfurt.
“Sturm Graz has more pressure,” said midfielder Sucic. “We have nothing to lose. We are definitely second, we can still jump to first place,” said Seonbuchner. For Cinel it is clear that Sturm holds the cards. Graz will be through with a win, but a draw might not be enough for them. Only three points help Salzburg – and goals from Klagenfurt.
“Now there is another matchday, and the team that deserves it most after the last matchday is at the top,” said the German, who took over from Gerhard Struber in mid-April. His recipe? “We have to play our game, we have to perform as a team like we did today in order to maintain a certain chance.”
