After an extremely eventful semi-final in Salzburg, SK Sturm Graz have the opportunity to defend their Cup title from the previous year
As in the previous year, the final of the ÖFB Cup is between Sturm Graz and Rapid. Defending champions Sturm prevailed 4:3 in a turbulent semi-final clash at serial champions Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday. Goals from Böving (25th), Horvat (52nd), Schnegg (71st) and Geyrhofer (81st) turned the game around after Solet had put Salzburg ahead (12th). The “Bulls” only managed to score twice through Sucic (80.) and Terzic (90.)
The dream of a tenth double in 13 years is now over for Salzburg. Last year, Salzburg had already failed at home to Sturm in the Cup – back then in the quarter-finals on penalties. Graz are in the Cup final for the eleventh time in the club’s history and have won the trophy six times. The final against Rapid will be played again in Klagenfurt on May 1
Ilzer makes a meaningful gesture after Solet’s goal
For Sturm, playmaker Kiteishvili returned to the team after the 1-0 home defeat against Salzburg on Sunday. Geyrhofer came into the defensive midfield because Gorenc Stankovic and Lavalee were suspended after the scuffle in the league match. Their Salzburg counterpart Gourna-Douath also had to serve a ban, but not his team-mate Solet, who was also involved in the wrestling match.
In retrospect, the Bundesliga video assistant referees (VAR) admitted that the Frenchman should also have been sent off in Graz. However, due to the camera angle chosen, the situation would not have been clearly recognized. This was probably one of the reasons why Sturm coach Christian Ilzer indicated his grip on Solet’s neck with his hand after Solet’s opening goal
Salzburg coach Gerhard Struber decided not to play star striker Fernando for the time being in order to manage his workload. In place of the Brazilian, the hapless Konate played alongside Ratkov. Salzburg set the tone at the start in front of 11,494 spectators. Solet headed a Kjaergaard corner that Daniliuc had extended under the crossbar. A short time later, Konate missed a great chance to make it 2:0, failing to beat Sturm keeper Jaros one-on-one (13′).
That paid off in the 25th minute, when Sturm struck after the first beautifully played action. Kiteishvili found Horvat with a lofted pass. The latter then set up Böving, who only had to push the ball over the line. Graz were better in the game from then on, even without their stabilizer Gorenc Stankovic
Sturm turn the match around
At the break, rain temporarily set in and 30 seconds after the restart, Sturm were still cheering in vain. Assistant Gazibegovic was offside before Biereth’s goal. In the 52nd minute, the joy of the fans was justified: After a pass from Gazibegovic, Horvat did not hit the ball fully in the penalty area, but ÖFB team keeper Schlager allowed it to slip under his body into the goal.
Struber reacted, bringing on Fernando and Sucic (both 55) after Simic (46). Daniliuc had shot over the goal from a good position at 1:1 (51′). An attempt by Gloukh was deflected onto the outside of the net (58′). Schnegg made it 3:1 after a pass from Biereth and Sturm’s left-back scored from the edge of the box into the right corner. This shot was not unstoppable either
This also applied to the follow-up goal, which Sucic scored after a pass from Fernando. Jaros let the ball slip into the goal from an acute angle. Sturm struck back less than two minutes later: After a Horvat corner, Geyrhofer was completely free to head home from the five-man box and restored the two-goal gap. The final goal was scored by substitute Terzic, who made a catch in the penalty area and finished into the far corner
Sturm are now unbeaten in eleven consecutive cup games since October 2021. Salzburg, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat in a competitive match this calendar year. The Bulls were unbeaten in their last 15 domestic matches. The league leaders, who are five points ahead of Sturm, continue their league campaign on Sunday at home against Rapid. The runners-up from Graz will face third-placed LASK.
