"In den 15 Minuten nach der Pause haben wir sie aufgefressen, das war der Unterschied."
"Ten years ago, I was still standing on the other side," says Heil. "When the fans cheer for you, it's simply a goosebump moment."
The 28-year-old sees the key to the clear victory primarily in the adjustments made after halftime. Sturm gained significantly more control and thereby increasingly forced turnovers in dangerous areas.
"In the 15 minutes after the break, we devoured them; that was the difference," says the right-back, who arrived from TSV Hartberg.
Ingolitsch Praises the Collective
Ingolitsch also particularly highlights the second half. His team became braver, attacked higher up the pitch, and showcased exactly the kind of transition football "everyone loves to see."
"How we really turned on the turbo in the second half and delivered spectacular minutes – the stadium was on fire, and it was fun to watch from the sidelines," beams the head coach.
However, something else makes the coach particularly proud: the team's internal dynamics.
In recent months, they deliberately focused on characters who fit into the structure. "We wanted to find a healthy team core." This is now evident on the pitch. "For us, the team is always at the center."
Nothing Won Yet
The 4-0 is an excellent starting position, but nothing more.
"If we can score four goals, then they can too," warns Ingolitsch. The second leg in a sold-out stadium will be primarily a mental challenge.
Nevertheless, the direction is right. After a successful start to their competitive season, Sturm travels to Scotland with great confidence.
