"Should have sealed the deal": Lustenau laments missing out on sensation

Austria Lustenau claims their first away point of the season against Sturm. Nevertheless, a degree of frustration prevails after the match.

Source text: © LAOLA1

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Austria Lustenau secured their first away point of the season with a 1-1 draw against SK Sturm Graz (to the match report>>>).

It was only the second time the Vorarlbergers had gained a point against Sturm – the first dated back to 1997.

Despite the respectable success, frustration prevailed after the final whistle. The feeling of having let a sensational victory slip away was too great.

Mader: "We should have sealed the deal"

Coach Markus Mader was full of praise for his team but also spoke of a missed opportunity.

"The performance was outstanding," said the Lustenau coach on "Sky." After taking the lead, his team squandered "two clear-cut goalscoring opportunities" for a 2-0 lead. "We had to seal the deal there."

Overall, Mader also saw his team closer to a victory: "Sturm can't complain if they're two or even three goals down."

Weixelbraun: "We left everything on the pitch"

Goalscorer Dominik Weixelbraun was delighted with his second goal of the season but put the point gain into realistic perspective.

"We arrived as anything but favourites, and we gladly take the point," said the attacking player. At the same time, he was convinced that more would have been possible: "If we convert our chances better, there's more in it."

About his goal, Weixelbraun said with a wink: "The cross was perfect. I knew I could head it."

The 21-year-old particularly highlighted the strong team spirit: "We left everything on the pitch. You could see what an awesome team we are."

Gmeiner laments penalty and missed chances

Fabian Gmeiner, who conceded the penalty for Sturm's equalizer, spoke of "mixed feelings."

"Actually, we should have left the pitch as winners," the defender said. While the penalty against him could be given, he also pointed to two situations on the opposite side where Lustenau had also appealed for a penalty.

"The handball rule is difficult," said Gmeiner. "You never really know where you stand with it."

In the end, what remained for the defender was primarily disappointment: "On the one hand, huge joy with a point from Graz, on the other hand, huge disappointment because we could have won."

Mader on Schierl's red card: "He shouldn't do that"

A bitter end from the Vorarlbergers' perspective was brought about by goalkeeper Domenik Schierl, who received a red card for violent conduct shortly before the final whistle.

Coach Markus Mader made it clear that the action should not have happened. "In times of VAR, every player has to think carefully about what they're doing. He shouldn't have done that," said the Lustenau coach.

At the same time, he somewhat defended his goalkeeper: Schierl is "a player with heart and soul" who gives his all for the club. Mader presumed that in the heated final phase, he "simply lost his nerve."