Derby Winners Sturm in Shock: "This Victory is for 'Khudy'"

Khudyakov Injury "Affects People"

"When you see that happen to a teammate, someone you value not only sportingly but also personally, it affects people," says coach Fabio Ingolitsch at the post-match press conference.

The chances were high that the team would "collapse" after such a shock, according to the Sturm coach.

But Sturm didn't. Quite the opposite.

"The Coolest Team I've Ever Coached"

Ingolitsch is proud of "the coolest team I've ever coached."

On the "Sky" microphone, the Sturm coach even spoke of "by far the best group of characters" he has ever had the privilege to coach.

After a moment of shock, Luca Weinhandl took heart and scored the equalizer: "When we score a goal and the whole stadium gets involved, it sends us into a frenzy," said the 17-year-old.

Just two minutes after the equalizer, Jürgen Heil scored to give them the lead, and two minutes after that, Oumar Diakite extended it to 3-1.

Diakite: "Graz is only black and white!"

The Ivorian also left his mark on the game in the second half with a quick brace (49th, 51st minute).

For the summer signing, it's already his sixth goal in his fourth appearance, and he seems to have integrated perfectly into the team, as the hat-trick scorer said in German after the match:

"Graz is only black and white!"

He had never experienced an atmosphere like the 204th Graz Derby: "We didn't stop scoring goals. That's a winner's mentality."

"Wir haben einen Goalgetter wie ihn in den letzten Monaten und vielleicht sogar letzten Jahren schmerzlich vermisst."

Ingolitsch über Diakite

The striker also received praise from coach Fabio Ingolitsch: "We have sorely missed a goalscorer like him in recent months and perhaps even recent years."

test — Einer der Männer des Spiels war Simon Seidl mit drei Assists.
Foto: ©GEPA

In addition to praising the collective, Ingolitsch highlighted another one of his protégés: Simon Seidl.

The summer signing provided three assists in the derby and already has eight assists in nine league games.

Seidl: "That tops everything again"

Seidl already has derby experience, having played against LASK with Blau-Weiß Linz several times. However, the Graz derby "topped that again."

The 24-year-old was still pumped up after the final whistle: "It's simply the coolest feeling when you're on the pitch. You run and march with your teammates, such incredible energy is created, and you're in the flow."

Victory for "Khudy"

Even more important than the derby victory, however, is that Daniil Khudyakov gets better soon.

Ingolitsch: "The victory is not only for the fans, to whom we absolutely wanted to dedicate it, but also for 'Khudy'. We wanted to give an extra one or two percent more for him and rewarded ourselves with a very deserved derby win.

Despite a growing list of injured players, Sturm is showing top form. They will likely need it, as the "Blackies'" "monster schedule" is far from over.

Next Thursday (from 18:45 in the LIVE TICKER>>>), the next tough test awaits with Olympique Marseille in the Europa League.