First leg of the 3rd round of the Champions League qualifier: SK Sturm Graz has to play at PSV Eindhoven! We report live (see below). Currently it is 4:1 for PSV!
Here’s the LIVETICKER: It’s the most important game of the season so far: Soccer runners-up Sturm Graz starts today at PSV Eindhoven on the delicate mission of qualifying for the Champions League. For the fourth participation in the premier class, Austria’s cup winner must defeat the Dutch cup winner and then survive another qualifying round. Coach Christian Ilzer described Eindhoven as “real caliber”. But his team should not freeze in awe. “We have to have confidence in ourselves: If we have a star day, then we can also win against PSV Eindhoven,” explained Ilzer. PSV is “a class team that works very well!” The storm coach had after the 2-0 announced against LASK that they wanted to “inhale” Eindhoven in a night shift. And explained on Monday before leaving: “We have to perform at the top level with courage, self-confidence and great conviction. Every single one is in demand.” Eindhoven already works well in the 4-3-3 under the new coach Peter Bosz. “It’s a top-class team that already works very well collectively.” His team can go into the game with self-confidence. Sturm won the first three competitive games of the season without conceding against Austria (3-0) and LASK. Ilzer recently outlined the mental approach at a panel discussion in Graz: “We believe in this possibility of reaching the playoffs. We believe in hearing the Champions League anthem. Probably not in Graz, but in a stadium where we were already relatively successful,” the 45-year-old recalled the cup triumph in Klagenfurt. The playoff would have to be played in the alternate stadium in Klagenfurt Relocation because the Grazer Merkur Arena does not meet the necessary standards. “According to UEFA, the playoff and any Champions League group stage must be played at the alternate stadium in Klagenfurt,” explained Tebbich. The promoted team has secured five million euros for reaching the playoffs. The loser entering the Europa League group stage. Two years ago, the Ilzer squad got involved with the game association founded in 1913 as a works club of the Philipps group. With 1:4 (h) and 0:2 (a) there were two defeats. The recent duel is also good for illustrating the Graz learning curve on an international level. We’ll know where we stand after the two games,” said Alex Prass. “We’re outsiders, we know that. But being an outsider also has many advantages that we want to use.” Club President Christian Jauk is hoping for “two lucky days” against the 24-time Dutch champions. “Luck means that the best preparation meets opportunity – we are excellently prepared. The role of favorite is clear, but we are allowed to dream.” Last year, Sturm failed in the third qualifying round in extra time at Dynamo Kiev. In the storm history there are three more CL participations (1998, 1999, 2000). LASK proved that Eindhoven is not untouchable in 2019 in the Europa League (4: 1). Sturm lost seven times in ten meetings with Dutch clubs. However, the most recent 1-0 home win over Feyenoord was one of the busiest European Cup nights in the club’s recent history. PSV only starts the league at the weekend. With the win of the Supercup last Friday against champions Feyenoord (1:0), last year’s second in the league showed a good early form. Left winger Noa Lang, who came from Bruges for 12.5 million euros, scored the gold goal. Belgium’s Johan Bakayoko and veteran striker Luuk de Jong are the most well-known names alongside former Salzburg player Ramalho. ÖFB team player Philipp Mwene was not used in the Supercup, but was part of the permanent staff in the previous season.
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