SK Sturm Graz once again proved that the gap to the serial champions from the city of Mozart is smaller than it has been for a long time with a 0-0 draw at Red Bull Salzburg.
It is an unusual picture that emerges when looking at the table of the Austrian Bundesliga. Although Red Bull Salzburg lead the league almost by default, with Sturm Graz the serial champions have a serious rival breathing down their necks for the first time in a long time. After the 0-0 draw in Salzburg, the two teams are still separated by just two points after the 13th matchday.
“We are in a very, very good position. We have made a step,” Sturm captain Stefan Hierländer analysed the Graz side’s development after the top match. Indeed, the Black and Whites showed once again on Saturday that they could close in on Salzburg this season and that the championship race in Austria could become more exciting than it has been for a long time.
Ilzer: “Salzburg are still the measure of all things “
For three games now, Sturm have been unbeaten against Salzburg, but coach Christian Ilzer did not let himself be carried away by the draw: “Salzburg are still the measure of all things in Austria. Nevertheless, he is very satisfied with the current course of the season: “For me it is nice that at the beginning of November, which we will soon have, the championship is not yet decided.”
Even more would have been possible for Sturm, but Tomi Horvat (56th), William Böving (70th) and Albian Ajeti (83rd) missed three top chances for last season’s runners-up. “I mourn a little bit the missed victory,” Ilzer explained. “But seen over the game, it is a fair draw.”
Salzburg head coach Matthias Jaissle, meanwhile, came to a different conclusion: “The 0-0 is a bit unfortunate for us overall.” The 34-year-old was alluding in particular to the hairy duel between Mohamed Fuseini and Strahinja Pavlovic in second-half injury time, when referee Stefan Ebner, to the displeasure of the home team, saw a swallow by the Serbian centre-back and decided on a yellow card for Pavlovic instead of a penalty for Salzburg. “That could also have gone in our favour,” said Jaissle, without wanting to comment further on the “dicey” scene.
Pavlovic himself was surprised by the sending-off: “I was sure it was a penalty, but the referee decided otherwise. Of course I’m disappointed, especially as I’m suspended next week due to the second yellow card.”
Seiwald praises Sturm – and makes self-criticism
In the first half, Pavlovic had missed Salzburg’s best chance after a strong solo run, but otherwise the Jaissle eleven found it unusually difficult to play forward. According to midfielder Nicolas Seiwald, this was also due to Sturm: “Of course, the opponent put us under extreme pressure, which we are not used to in the league. But we have to do better, we didn’t create enough chances today. From that point of view, we were relatively far away from scoring.”
Nevertheless, Salzburg extended their impressive home streak, the serial champions are now unbeaten in front of their own crowd for 33 Bundesliga games. And Salzburg will be hoping to celebrate with their fans in the upcoming Champions League encounter against Chelsea (Tuesday, 6.45pm). Sturm welcome Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Europa League two days later.
