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At the end of the sixth round in Sturm Graz, the Linz team struggled to win 2-0 (1-0). An early goal from Hussein Balic (6th) was followed by Johannes Eggestein’s (91st) decision in the final.
The High Austrians celebrated their third consecutive victory four days before their Europa League guest appearance at Royal Antwerp. They are still five points behind leader Salzburg and three behind Rapid in third place. Sturm suffered the first loss in the eighth competitive game of the season with coach Christian Ilzer. The fifth-place Grazers are four points behind LASK.
As in the last 2-0 win at Ried, Ilzer featured central defender Jon Gorenc-Stankovic in the defensive midfield. At LASK, Petar Filipovic and Marko Raguz were only substituted after their 4-3 Europa League win over Ludogorez Razgrad. Instead of them, Rene Renner and Eggestein started.
The latter did the preliminary work to make it 1-0. LASK combined on the left side with speed through the storm defense, Balic closed in the far corner. The Graz team conceded a goal with Ilzer for the first time in the first half of the game and fell behind for the first time this season. Balic hit the storm keeper Jörg Siebenhandl (22nd) with a shot again.
- Video: LASK defeated Graz 2-0
LASK had more game action, Sturm stalked 1,500 spectators in turnaround situations before the crown was tightened last time. Jakob Jantscher (4th) and Kevin Friesenbichler (18th) looked dangerous in front of the LASK gate. After switching sides, Andreas Kuen put ÖFB team goalkeeper Alexander Schlager to the test (56th).
LASK’s control of the game ended after an hour, and Sturm increased the pressure from then on. Ivan Ljubic found the best chance to equalize, missing after a Friesenbichler pass from close range to Schlager (67th). Sturm risked more, but LASK no longer allowed for truly top-notch goal scenes. On the contrary: after a serious mistake by Amadou Dante on a back pass, Mads Madsen served Eggestein, who only had to insert his first league goal.
Sturm conceded as many goals in one match as in the previous five rounds. The Graz team also ended a successful streak of three competitive matches in a row. The Styrians haven’t won any of the last seven games with LASK. The last four games against Linz, including the Cup quarter-finals in February, were lost to zero.
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