Stankovic draws level with Neukirchner
For the 30-year-old Slovenian, the match was a very special one. With his 49th European appearance for Sturm, he drew level with record appearance maker Günther Neukirchner.
However, the midfielder could not prevent their second defeat in the last four games. And even though the disappointment over the result was great, there was no discontent with the performance itself.
"We wanted to show our fans today that we are the better team. We put in a huge effort, had 29 shots, while the opponent only had eight," said the head coach.
Only to elaborate: "In the end, though, it was seven to seven shots on target, and that's the decisive factor. The opponent made more of their opportunities. We lacked efficiency and clinical execution."
All a matter of efficiency
Sturm were the more active side for long spells and created chances through Oumar Diakite (12') and Matthias Seidl (23') even before falling behind 0-1.
"When you have so many chances in a Europa League game and don't win, it's entirely down to you. And that's the positive thing. No player can walk out and say the opponent was vastly superior. At the same time, it gives us something to work on," Ingolitsch noted.
Unlike the Slovenian champions, Graz once again lacked efficiency in front of the opposition goal. Only striker Diakite stood out once more with his ninth and tenth goals of the season (40', 90'+3).
System change and a returnee
The 22-year-old is increasingly becoming the Styrians' insurance policy. But Seidl also demonstrated his immense threat, especially from set-pieces, with his fine right foot.
In the closing stages, Sturm threw everything forward after conceding to make it 1-3 in the 73rd minute. Ingolitsch switched from a 5-2-3 to a 4-4-2 system and brought on fresh attacking power with Jacob Peter Hödl, Belmin Beganovic, and returnee Gizo Mamageisvhili.
However, it was all to no avail: "The 1-3 was a real blow that unfortunately steered the game in their direction early," said the coach.
Ingolitsch did not want to blame his team for that. "They tried everything, put everything into it. But we simply have to make better use of our opportunities. The opponent showed us how it's done. If you score three goals from seven shots on target, that's clinical."
Wir bleiben immer positiv. Es bringt nichts, jetzt den Kopf in den Sand zu stecken. Wir haben noch genügend Chancen.
Tough remaining fixtures
Partly due to this lack of clinical edge, SK Sturm now sit on four points after four games. Their chances of reaching the top 24 have dropped slightly following the home defeat.
However, nothing is decided yet: "We always remain positive. There's no point in burying our heads in the sand now. We still have plenty of chances," center-back Paul Koller made clear.
Currently, the "Blackies" occupy 24th place, ahead of FC Salzburg, who have a worse goal difference.
The upcoming opponents will be by no means easier, though: first up is an away match against Hoffenheim, followed by a trip to AZ Alkmaar, before a home match against Ofi Creta and an away fixture at Dinamo Zagreb in January wrap up the league phase.
