Ich kann nicht verstehen, dass sich da der VAR einschaltet. Wenn das ein Elfer ist, dann ist jede Berührung ein Foul.
After the first half, which had seen individual clear-cut chances, was drawing to a close, Diakite scored to make it 1-0 in stoppage time.
Shortly after the break, the Sturm striker was once again in the spotlight, this time initially for a presumed dive. Only after a VAR check did referee Altmann reverse his decision. There was indeed contact from Ranftl against Diakite, which in the referee's eyes was enough for a penalty call.
Diakite converted, but the penalty call subsequently caused incomprehension at Austria. "I can't understand why the VAR intervenes there. If that's a penalty, then every touch is a foul," said head coach Stephan Helm on the "Sky" microphone.
Both Helm and Ranftl agreed that Altmann was right with his initial decision - to call Diakite's dive. "The referee is clearly standing right next to it. It always looks different on video than it feels live," said the defender.
Ranftl: Conceded penalty, missed clear-cut chance
Ranftl also commented: "Very well done by the Sturm striker. I'm always accused of falling easily. I'm curious what the gentlemen will say – how easily he falls." He did not absolve himself of responsibility in the process. It would have been a "silly action" because "I know how things are handled in the Bundesliga."
It was not the only unfortunate action by the 34-year-old in this match.
20 minutes later, Ranftl missed from a few meters after a pass from Johannes Eggestein – also because he was thrown off balance by a push from JP Hödl before the shot.
"Maybe it shouldn't have been given. But the slight push was enough to throw me off. I don't want to make excuses and still have to put it in," said Ranftl, who showed his disappointment: "I'm extremely sorry for what happened today. I'm really down, I'm going to think about it."
"On equal footing"
Despite the ultimately clear defeat, Helm saw some things that give courage for the future.
Austria met Sturm Graz "on equal footing". They had "really good energy on the pitch and clear processes already – and we just have to keep working on that. Then we can turn things around."
Fischer added: "Everyone saw that we had our chances. You lose the game through small details and penalty situations."
This had not been achieved for over a year
The players on and off the pitch were particularly satisfied with the performance after the break. The problem? Austria were chasing a 0-2 deficit. Coming back from a 0-2 deficit had not been achieved for over a year (3-2 on Sep 20 against Ried).
"A 0-2 is not easy to turn around. Our focus, however, must rather be on how we manage to keep a clean sheet longer or even take the lead ourselves," said Helm.
As the coach emphasized, they had opportunities to take the lead even against Sturm. What's missing is the ruthlessness.
Crisis?
Next Saturday in Ried – where a 0-2 deficit was last overcome – Austria has the next chance to do better. "It's about getting points, because in football it's about winning," said Ranftl and followed up with a little encouragement: "The season is still long. And there's no point in hanging our heads. It was a good fight today – no more, no less."
Asked whether Austria accepts that they are in a crisis, Fischer thought for a moment – and then replied: "I don't know. But you have to accept the situation anyway. The only question is: What do you make of it? 'Stuck in a crisis' – you can write that however you want."
