Blue-White are undefeated in six home games in a row after a 1-1 draw against Sturm

Three days after the disappointing 0-1 home defeat in the Europa League against Rakow Czestochowa, Sturm Graz also suffered a setback at national level. The Graz team, who were outnumbered for almost half of the game, drew 1-1 (0-1) away from promoted team Blau-Weiß Linz in the 16th round of the Bundesliga on Sunday. Because Salzburg defeated WAC 1-0 at the same time, Sturm is now two points behind the league leaders one round before the winter break.

Simon Seidl gave Linz the lead in the Hofmann Personal Stadium, which was sold out with 5,595 spectators (19th minute), and Tomi Horvat equalized after the break (48th minute). The Graz team were then weakened by Javier Serrano’s red card after a serious foul on Ronivaldo himself (54th). Blue-White remained unbeaten in their sixth home game in a row.

Video: Blue-White Linz coach Gerald Scheiblehner in a short interview:

During storms the rotation was limited. Coach Christian Ilzer brought in three new players: Amadou Dante, Serrano and William Böving. Defense chief Gregory Wüthrich and Seedy Jatta were missing with injuries, captain Stefan Hierländer suspended. Jon Gorenc-Stankovic was briefly ill. At Blau-Weiß Linz, Julian Gölles and Simon Pirkl, who were recently absent, were once again on the wing.

Because of the heavy snowfall, there was initially a question mark over the event. Therefore, around 70 volunteers, including BW coach Gerald Scheiblehner, took part in clearing snow from 7 a.m. on Sunday and made a game possible with moderate pitch conditions. After a brief scan, Sturm gradually took over command. A good individual action from Manprit Sarkaria sparked danger for the first time, but the finish was too central (16th).

The people of Linz were more efficient. A Ronivaldo shot landed at the feet of Seidl, who, standing alone, pushed it through the legs of storm goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. Afterwards, Sturm seemed to be served and only rarely came into his own offensively until the break. Sarkaria was once again denied by Blue and White keeper Nicolas Schmid, Böving missed a cross by centimeters (29′).

Video: BW goalie Nicolas Schmid in an interview:

Immediately after the restart, Sturm was lucky when Ronivaldo missed a huge chance to make it 2-0 with a volley (46th). The Graz team equalized immediately. After a pass from Böving, Horvat hit the ball flat into the far corner. Sturm then weakened himself. Serrano hit Ronivaldo on the ankle with his studs and was rightly sent off. The blue and white attacker was unable to continue playing afterwards.

The Linz team had more of a share of the game when they had the majority, but the runner-up became dangerous. Goalscorer Horvat was denied by Schmid in a one-on-one (62′). The last half hour was disjointed for long stretches and the spectators were denied top-class scoring opportunities. In stoppage time, penalties were claimed again on both sides, but referee Josef Spurny’s whistle remained silent both times.

Reactions to the game

Gerald Scheiblehner (BW Linz coach): “Ronivaldo’s injury looked serious. The initial diagnosis is that the ankle is not broken, but there could be torn ligaments. We will fix it quickly. I believe he will be back on the pitch soon. We have a strong one Game played against a very strong opponent. It was a well-deserved and fair draw. It was a good football game and I’m just proud of the team. It’s not a given that so many Blue and Whites make a pilgrimage to the stadium at 7 a.m. and help “So that the game takes place. There were more disappointed than happy in the dressing room, which shows that we are on the right track.”

Christian Ilzer (striker coach): “First of all, congratulations to Ronivaldo, a very good player and fair sportsman. All the best to him. The game was a fair 1-1. Blue-White has stabilized. Overall, it’s a phase where we struggle, where there’s struggle and cramps is there. We are not unlucky when it comes to referee decisions either. In the end it was a fair draw because Blue and White put in a really strong performance. Blue and White make the most of the opportunities. They are really difficult to play against. The Space conditions were better than in Graz.”