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the SturmNetz– Readers’ evaluations of individual players, as well as the coach and referee team from the last game have been completed and all inputs have been evaluated. We calculate the average of all the ratings received for each player and add a written (subjective) rating. After every game, we want not only qualifications, but also an honorable title. „Man of the Match” awarded to the player with the best overall average rating.
Your “man of the match” – Jörg Siebenhandl | © Photograph by Martin Hirtenfellner
Jörg Siebenhandl – score: 1.23
It just works for Siebenhandl. The Sturm goalkeeper is always there when needed, and yesterday he was also partly responsible for Sturm playing the fourth consecutive game to zero. Shortly before the end of the first half, Siebenhandl avoided the best chance of equalizing with a first-class reflex against George Davies and it was not only on this stage that he showed his best form of recent weeks. In the 54th minute, Jörg was able to significantly shorten the angle against Blauensteiner and has been without a goal for six hours. Siebenhandl provides support and security to the team. With such achievements he would have earned a nomination for the national team.
Otar Kiteishvili – Note 1.34
It’s amazing how well the Georgian is doing in Sturm’s midfield. His dribbling combined with an excellent understanding of the game will likely make the hearts of all Sturm fans beat faster in front of screens. Although “Kite” missed some of the games, he is the creative brain of the team. In the seven games that Kiteishvili played, he scored three goals and three assists and participated in nine of fifteen goals. His dream pass to Jakob Jantscher in the 29th minute clicked the tongue and he felt every offensive action from Sturm on the spirited Georgian. One can only hope that Kiteishvili will stay with the storm longer. If “Kite” maintains this performance throughout the season, soon the biggest clubs will be knocking on the door.
Jakob Jantscher – grade 1.38
“JJ” made a really good game again. The veteran in the Sturm suit showed a first-rate presence on the field, was one of the first to participate in the attack and was instrumental in two of the three shots. In the 29th minute he managed to put in a dreamlike pass from Otar Kiteishvili worth seeing for the lead and in the 77th minute he delivered a perfect cross to the head of Bekim Balaj, who made it 3-0. Jantscher is undoubtedly one of the leading players on Christian Ilzer’s team this season and with performances like this against St. Pölten he is definitely recommended for a contract extension. He gave way to Huspek in the final minutes.
Jon Gorenc-Stankovic – Note 1.74
The Slovenian was called up in the defensive midfield with Ilzer in previous matches and he always managed to convince in this position. Like Wüthrich, Gorenc-Stankovic was a really good signing and convinced game after game with his tremendous will to run and a winning mentality. Jon also has a lot of overview and understanding of the game and is doing great week after week. The Slovenian is rock solid and still radiates goal danger time and time again. Nice to have a player with Premier League experience on the Sturm team.
Amadou Dante – Score 1.75
The 20-year-old defender from Mali belongs to the Christian Ilzer tribe and returns this confidence week after week with consistent and solid performances. Dante tries to get involved in the game over and over again and also shows good positional play on defense. Against St. Pölten, he managed to put himself in the spotlight with good ball victories and exchanges of passes, he was forgiven for one or another inaccuracy on the ball due to his age. Together with Siebenhandl, he was able to clear St. Pölten’s biggest equalizing opportunity through Davies shortly before the break.
Gregory Wüthrich – Note 1.82
The Swiss central defender convinces week after week with great positional play and is definitely one of the pillars of SK Sturm’s current success. Wüthrich cleverly manages to lead his neighbors on the defensive, thus ensuring the necessary calm and stability in Graz’s defense. The Swiss’s commitment was a golden handle from sporting director Schicker. Wüthrich is really good at Sturm’s game and always manages to initiate the Grazers’ attacks with skillful play. It’s good to have a quality defender of Wüthrich on the squad.
Kevin Friesenbichler – Note 1.96
Friesenbichler earns Christian Ilzer’s trust week after week and returns it with an incredible commitment. Like last week, Styrian was also able to enter the goalscorer list against St. Pölten, it was their third goal of the season and the preliminary decision in this match. Otherwise, “Friese” showed a lot of will to run and, together with Jantscher, was the starting point of the attack pressing.
David Nemeth – Note 2.01
Nemeth’s performance was basically good. Shortly before the break, the positional play against Hugi did not concede, resulting in St. Pölten’s biggest chance to equalize. Nothing happened in this scene, thanks to Siebenhandl. Otherwise, the young man on loan to Mainz defended himself quite well and made an acceptable impression.
Sandro Ingolitsch – Note 2.03
The former St. Pöltner put in a solid performance and tried to keep moving forward. The interaction with his teammates seems to fit in very well, so Sturm’s defensive performance is impressive. Ingolitsch and his teammates are currently not allowing much and if rival teams pass, there is still Siebenhandl at the back. Overall it was a strong fall season for Ingolitsch and there is nothing wrong with his performance against St. Pölten.
Andreas Kuen – Note 2.24
The Mattersburg newcomer is flourishing like the entire Ilzer team and is currently indispensable in Graz’s offensive midfield. In the early stages of the game, he introduced the first good opportunity with a balloon worth seeing Jakob Jantscher and with his rapid strides he continued to cause danger on the offensive. Kuen did many kilometers and often tried to put pressure on the St. Pölten defense with aggressive pressure. He was replaced by Ivan Ljubic in the 72nd minute.
Stefan Hierländer – Note 2.28
It was a discreet game from the captain, but also with “Hierli” compared to the previous season, the presence and charisma on the field show more bite and passion. Hierländer was able to initiate dangerous actions occasionally with ball wins and one successful pass or another and seems to feel clearly more comfortable in midfield. The captain always gives everything for Sturm and embodies from his attributes what a leader should be. Therefore, an extension of the contract before the summer would be definitely justified.
Substitute players
Bekim Balaj (ab Minute 71) – Note 1.68
The Albanian came into play for Friesenbichler and followed his colleague in attack a little later. After a cross from “JJ” Balaj scored his third goal of the season with a precise header. After that, he tried again and again to pressure the St. Pölten defense and almost scored his second goal. With a strong conclusion he failed on pole. The Albanian currently has to be content with the role of joker, but currently he can implement it well.
Ivan Ljubic (ab Minute 72) – Note 2.4
He was replaced by Kuen and remained uncomplicated. Ljubic secured in midfield and managed to successfully keep zero with his teammates.
Jusuf Gazibegovic (from minute 83) – note 2.31
The 20-year-old Bosnian came into play for Ingolitsch and went unnoticed.
Lukas Jäger (from minute 83) – note 2.67
He was replaced by Gorenc-Stankovic and could no longer be conspicuous.
Philipp Huspek (from minute 85) – grade 2.22
Huspek came into play for Jantscher, but was unable to contribute anything due to the short period of play.
Other qualifications
Christian Ilzer – Note 1.48
It’s amazing what Ilzer and his technical team have done with the team. With Ilzer, the team was able to win nine of the last ten games, nine times they were played to zero. In league and cup, the team only conceded six goals, making it the best defense in the league. SK Sturm has not conceded a goal in the last five matches and has only lost one match in 14 matches to Christian Ilzer with 10 wins and 3 draws. It just works for Sturm and Ilzer and their technical team has played a big part in this. Since the Styrian took over, a clear plan and unmistakable signature are recognizable. Aggressive pressure and forward defense are part of the program, and a more attractive and attractive football is offered even when the ball is in possession. The unmistakable spirit of the storm has returned, everyone is fighting for everyone, and the team has once again become a unit. If someone had told the SturmNetz editorial team after last season that they had 24 points on their accounts after 11 games at the end of 2020 and that they were a short distance from the top, that would have been considered a utopia.
Referee team around Stefan Ebner – grade 2.62
The referee’s performance was good. In general, the impression was that Ebner hissed a bit too mean, but there were no serious errors.
The SturmNetz team appreciates the 282 feedback received and dedicates the following issue to the team:
