31st round in the Austrian Bundesliga: LASK welcomes SK Sturm Graz. We report live (see below).
Here is the LIVE TICKER: The match ball for the changing of the guard is ready – Sturm Graz can secure their fourth championship title in the Bundesliga with a win against the in-form LASK, end Salzburg’s ten-year title streak and crown a fantastic season with the double. “Imagining what could happen after the game is not our way of thinking, we are preparing for a difficult game against LASK,” said coach Christian Ilzer before the last step to be taken. A four-point lead with two rounds still to play makes the dream of the second double after 1999 seem quite real. “We’re trying to focus fully on this one game!” “Of course there are these thoughts about the really big coup in the team, “That’s completely normal,” said Ilzer, who sees “a really good balance” and the necessary concentration in his troops before the potential coronation. “To say that we don’t realize what a win would mean would of course be a lie. But we’re trying to focus fully on this one game, get the three points and ignore the rest as much as possible,” said defender David Affengruber. If Sturm manages their 19th win in the 31st league game of the season, it would be their fourth championship 1998, 1999 and 2011 fixed. If Salzburg draws or loses in Hartberg, Sturm could also afford a draw or defeat for the title. If Salzburg can reduce the gap to at least three points, the championship will be decided on the last matchday, as Salzburg will be ranked ahead of Sturm if the points are tied due to the direct duels. The Sturm team would certainly like to avoid a heart-stopping final against Klagenfurt. The cup winners have not given rise to any major doubts recently. Sturm only lost once in the league this calendar year (1-0 in Graz against Salzburg). But last weekend showed the pitfalls. A red card like the one given to midfield anchor Jon Gorenc Stankovic, who is now suspended, happened quickly. When we were outnumbered, we had to fight for a 1-1 draw against Hartberg after falling behind. The 1:3 in Linz at the beginning of November is Graz’s only away defeat this season. Of course, before the game against LASK, Ilzer warned of a “duel between probably the strongest teams in Austria at the moment.” “A very, very difficult game awaits us!” In Linz, the LASK coaching change to academy director Thomas Darazs paid off. Under the interim solution, the athletes won four games in five games, and even ending the season as runner-up is now possible. Darazs spoke about the upcoming task with confidence and also great respect for the opponent. “We can expect a very, very difficult game against the current cup winner and championship candidate. I don’t have to say more, it will take a huge performance from us.” Games against Graz are unpleasant because of their “hectic, restless style of play,” said the Viennese. “They often go long, try to win the second ball, try to achieve success through physicality.” Darazs therefore wants to “get the energy out and avoid standard situations.” About the sense or nonsense of second place (no fixed international group phase) or third place (fixed group phase), Darazs said: “We always strive for the highest possible. That’s why we play football and I’m a football coach. If I would like to play tactics, I would perhaps be better off in politics.” Midfielder Valon Berisha promised: “We definitely want to prevent the Sturm Graz party and show a great performance with our fans behind us.” Robert Zulj already came to one recently Short appearance, Sascha Horvath is missing due to suspension and is likely to be replaced by Branko Jovicic. The Linz fans will no longer see Peter Michorl. There are no plans to include the long-time midfield strategist in the squad, Darazs ruled out a move demanded by many supporters for the last home game of the season. During the storm, Manprit Sarkaria recovered faster than expected after breaking his outer ankle. The ÖFB team player is back in the squad for the first time since March.
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