“Our best performance in the Champions League”

It was already clear to everyone involved after the draw that SK Sturm would go into the match as the underdog in all matches of this Champions League season. At the latest, after the third defeat in the third match (1:2 against Brest, 0:1 against Brugge and now 0:2 against Sporting Lisbon) it became clear to everyone what a high level the first division requires.

However, despite all the disappointment, there was optimism among the people of Graz. “There are still five matches left to play. The top 24 is entirely possible, even if the team is in 32nd place and still faces Dortmund (November 5), Girona (November 27) and Lille (November 11), said Sturm coach Christian Eletser, whose team is currently in 32nd place. If the opponents had not been easier December), Atalanta Bergamo (January 21), Leipzig (January 29).

“Really good mentality showing.”

What makes the 47-year-old positive is the performance against the Portuguese champions in Klagenfurt. “This was our best performance in the Champions League so far,” said Eletser. “It was a deserved win for Sporting, but we had our moments. A lot has to come together to score against such a big team. However, we showed a really good mentality. It's a shame we didn't score. If it wasn't for that, the stadium would have been fine again.”

Despite the long-term absences of injured John Gorenc Stankovic and Grigory Wutrich as well as Otar Ketishvili, who could return on Sunday against LASK, the Black and Whites looked good again. “It is obviously painful to lose these three pillars because the routine will help our young team greatly, especially in matches like this. There were things I liked against Sporting,” said Eltzer, who admired, among other things, the game in which he had possession of the ball. However, there were things I liked against Sporting. “We resolved some things very well. Better decisions are needed in the final third.

Number five as a leader

The learning effect was huge against Victor Geukeris. Positive results must become something that can be counted, even if the frustration has not yet been completely overcome. “Of course it's frustrating, but we are playing against the best players in the world. We want to score points and show our identity to Europe,” explained Dimitri Lavallee, who wore the captain's strip this time, as the fifth leader in the standings behind Stefan Herlander, Stankovic, Ketishvili and Wuterich.