A lot of passion, a lot of heart and some nice moves helped storm nothing at first home match in the Champions League in 23 years. In the end it was against experienced and clever veterans from FC Brugge Klagenfurt a 0-1 defeat. But at least in this regard, no long faces.
After 1:2 at Brest it was the second defeat in the ongoing competition. No reason for coach Christian Ilzer to fall into depression. “Bruges, Stade Brest, you can’t be fooled by the name. It’s just a very high level.” The Sturm coach is still “in very good spirits” that his team will take “a great step in development” through their experience in the premier class. “From a development perspective, it is of course a fantastic gift to be there,” said Ilzer
But even before the game started, the fans expressed their anger that the game could not be played in their hometown of Graz. The Sturm supporters, who frenetically cheered on their team for 90 minutes, expressed their displeasure before kick-off 17 banners in total with messages like “Clock tower instead of Lindwurm” or “Thanks to politics without expertise, half of Styria will be on sick leave tomorrow morning.” After the match, Ilzer also criticized: “It was a very clear indication from the fans that in the “The city of Graz has to do something in terms of infrastructure.”
It was an “extreme failure” to do nothing on the stadium issue for 25 years, said Ilzer. “A stadium is also a clear symbol of a city. Sturm Graz is a Symbol of Styria.” A renovation is currently being considered, and many offers have already come from Sturm. The two-stadium solution (GAK also plays in Liebenau) will not be implemented for the time being – if at all.
Also sports director Andreas Schicker one of the architects of success, was the focus. Many in Graz assume that he will soon follow Hoffenheim changes. The 38-year-old no longer denies it. “The fact is that there was contact in the summer and now there has been contact again after the transfer window. “I’ve never made a secret that it’s my goal to go there one day,” said Schicker Sky.