After winning 4-1 at home, Sturm Graz also won 1-0 at Slovan Bratislava – and thus moved into the round of 16 of the Conference League on Thursday. There are several attractive opponents waiting for the draw on Friday.
“We don’t have a dream opponent, we can beat everyone,” said Jon Gorenc-Stankovic after the win against Slovan. On Friday (1 p.m.) the opponent in the round of the best 16 will be determined in Nyon – there are duels with Lille, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Viktoria Pilsen, FC Brugge, Aston Villa, Rapid conquerors Fiorentina, PAOK Saloniki or Fenerbahce Istanbul. Coach Christian Ilzer is clear: “We are not favorites against any of these teams.” David Affengruber said: “Every game is cool. A lot is possible in football. We just have to be confident, we have big visions and know that we have to give 100 percent in every game.” It’s already clear: Sturm will face a group winner. “We have big dreams, but we will take it from game to game,” said Gregory Wüthrich. Pot 1 (group winners): OSC Lille, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Viktoria Pilsen, AC Florenz, FC Brugge, PAOK Saloniki, Aston Villa, Fenerbahce IstanbulPot two (Winner playoff): Sturm Graz, Ajax Amsterdam, Dinamo Zagreb, FC Servette, Maccabi Haifa, Union St. Gilloise, Olympiacos, Molde
source site-12