Sturm Graz visits Klagenfurt, Austria

The upcoming opponent as well as the venue will likely bring back special memories for double winners Sturm Graz.

On the last pre-season matchday, Graz were crowned champions with a 2-0 home win over Austria Klagenfurt, and just a month ago they won the cup against Rapid at the Wörthersee. On Saturday (5:00 p.m. live stream >>>) Sturm will visit the capital of Carinthia again in the third matchday of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga.

Christian Elzer's team are aiming for their second win of the season there. After a poor start at Rapid, Sturm were able to breathe a sigh of relief in the Styrian derby. “The win against Hartberg was good and also confirmation that everything is going in the right direction,” explained coach Elzer.

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An unpleasant opponent now awaits in Klagenfurt, and the strengths have not been lost despite the team's turmoil. “Despite that, we are going to the neighborhood with the clear intention of putting in a very good performance on the pitch and winning,” said Elzer, whose team have only lost one of the twelve meetings with Carinthians in the Bundesliga.

At the beginning of the week, Sturm's coach was concerned about the virus hitting the team: “We will see who is really 100 percent fit until match day and nominate the team accordingly.”

It is also questionable whether strikers Manpreet Sarkaria and Szymon Wlodarczyk, who are keen to leave, will make the trip to Klagenfurt.

Klagenfurt wants to gain momentum against the “next big calibre”.

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Klagenfurt completely spoiled their league start against Wydad Casablanca (1:4), and last week they felt their first feeling of success against Rapid (1:1) despite being outnumbered.

“It was a good feeling and very important for morale, especially since we got a draw in a duel with a high-rated and in-form opponent,” said coach Peter Pacult. With Master Sturm, the “next big calibre” is now coming to the Wörthersee stadium.

“We want to take the momentum with us, be at our best in terms of running and fighting,” Bacolt said. “But we also have to improve our play. Defense alone won't be enough.”

Maher banned after controversial disqualification

The 64-year-old Viennese are forced to make a change in defence. Captain Torsten Marrer is suspended after his controversial red card against Rapid. Striker Sebastian Soto will miss the clash with the champions with knee problems.

There will be a duel between two long-term coaches on the sidelines on Saturday. Sturm Elzer (since July 2020) is the longest-serving coach in the Bundesliga, with his counterpart Bacholt (since January 2021) second in that order.

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