Weakened Sturm still wins: "That makes me proud"

Difficult circumstances

The circumstances were difficult, not least due to a total of seven (!) absences against Austria.

Ingolitsch explains: "Many lads weren't here for the last two weeks, they were away with their national teams. They weren't rested, but they were back on point."

The fact that the "Blackies" were "really tenacious and ready to suffer" throughout the game, "that makes me very proud. That speaks volumes for my team."

Sturm had their first chance early through Simon Seidl. An open game then developed. But Diakite headed them in front after a Weinhandl cross (45.+1). Eight minutes after the restart, referee Altmann initially awarded a dive by Diakite, only correcting it to a penalty for Sturm after a VAR check. Diakite stepped up and made it 2-0.

Wir tun die richtigen Dinge, aber wir müssen die Dinge auch richtig tun.

Fabio Ingolitsch

From this phase, in which Julian Hettwer had a prime chance and Austria fans demanded a penalty after a challenge against Reinhold Ranftl, the Sturm coach wants to draw the right conclusions together with his squad.

Such as standing deeper in the block, or taking fewer risks with the ball.

The 34-year-old elaborates in this context: "We are doing the right things, but we also have to do things right. Therefore, it's more about efficiency than being effective. Because in my opinion, we are effective."

From bogey team to favourite opponent?

Thanks to the 2-0 victory, the Styrians now remain unbeaten in their third consecutive match against Austria. Not long ago, the "Veilchen" were considered a bogey team for Graz, who couldn't win seven direct duels in a row.

Ingolitsch recalls: "When we played there for the first time, someone talked me into believing that Austria was a bogey team. Then we won 5-2 here and were league leaders afterwards."

test — Einer der wenigen, der während der Sieglos-Serie gegen die Austria noch dabei war: Jan-Gorenc Stankovic
Foto: ©GEPA

At home, the Salzburger then "unfortunately only" managed a 1-1 draw with Sturm against the "Violetten".

With the 2-0 victory at the Generali Arena, Graz remain unbeaten against Austria under Ingolitsch. Has he turned the former bogey team into their new favourite opponent? "Honestly, what happened in the past is completely irrelevant to me," the Sturm coach commented.

Not only he himself, but also the majority of the squad wasn't even there during Sturm's difficult phase against Austria. "That's so far away. Since then, we've had what feels like three to four squad overhauls – and a new coach in me."

A Boost for the Highlight Week

"It was a highly deserved victory for us, which will do us good for the coming weeks," the head coach also summarised on the "Sky" microphone.

Luca Weinhandl also stated: "A very important victory – this already sets us in a good direction, so we can go into the next game with confidence."

A tough schedule awaits Sturm with many "English weeks" (midweek fixtures). First, they travel to Premier League club AFC Bournemouth on Thursday, before the Graz derby against GAK on Sunday.