Vienna Austria has "incredible week" behind it

From a six-point deficit to leading the table due to a better head-to-head record: Vienna Austria has used the matches against defending champion Sturm Graz to realistically dream of the first football championship title since 2013 again. The 2-1 win on Wednesday was followed by a 1-0 in a chaotic match on Sunday in Graz. "It was an incredible week," emphasized Austria captain Manfred Fischer. The Styrians were annoyed with referee Sebastian Gishamer.

Austria coach talks of "high-flying"

"We played two really good games and are currently experiencing a high-flying period together, for which we have all worked. That's nice," said Austria coach Stephan Helm. Three points behind the two top teams, WAC is lurking four rounds before the end. Fourth-placed Salzburg is also only four points behind. "Being at the top of the table feels good, but if we lose a game, everything is different again," said Fischer. He has certainly developed a taste for it. "We all dream, and that's allowed when you're so close, but there's still a brutally long way to go."

In Graz, too, they showed that they can be a "nasty" opponent. This was in a match that bore little resemblance to what was seen during the week. It was also extremely scrappy due to three dismissals, and Austria barely managed to capitalize on their long numerical superiority. Nevertheless, Nik Prelec converted one of the very few top chances in the 80th minute. "It was a scrappy game, we were too restless ourselves, we should have played out the lead more calmly," said Helm.

Austria ends against nine Graz players

Sturm scored the supposed equalizer in the 96th minute through Belmin Beganovic. However, it was not recognized due to a foul by Emanuel Aiwu beforehand. That was the final point of a series of contentious situations, all of which were judged against Graz. Technically, both the dismissal of William Böving (28th) after unsportsmanlike conduct against Reinhold Ranftl, who was also dismissed in the final phase, and the yellow-red card for Leon Grgic (66th/foul) were justifiable. "From a neutral perspective, the decisions were correct," Gishamer justified himself in the Sky interview.

The Graz team saw things differently. Coach Jürgen Säumel spoke of two "very harsh" red cards and was particularly annoyed about the latter. Grgic had seen yellow early on due to a dive. The dismissal followed after a duel with Aleksandar Dragovic. According to Säumel, the Austrians always made a lot out of minimal contact, thus provoking the dismissals a bit. "It annoys me that the referees fall for something like this week after week."

Sturm Goalie Criticizes Referee

Kjell Scherpen was also not pleased with the referee. "The referee had no control over the game from the first minute, no calmness in his head. One man did not take his responsibility well," criticized the Sturm goalkeeper. Gishamer did not let this go unanswered. "If you look at the situations individually, you have to ask the Sturm players if they perhaps couldn't handle the emotions," said the 36-year-old just a week after a probably game-deciding wrong call by him in the WAC's 5:1 against Rapid.

Scherpen also had to deal with criticism. Before the decisive goal, the Sturm goalkeeper misjudged a corner slightly and could only deflect the ball briefly. "I have to clear the ball further away," admitted the 25-year-old Dutchman. Säumel had "zero reproach," such things happen. "For me, he is the best goalkeeper in the league and will be important for us in the final sprint," said Säumel.

Sturm Challenged at Blau-Weiß Linz

With the away game at sixth-placed Blau-Weiß Linz, his team faces the easiest task on paper next Sunday, while Austria has to play in Salzburg. "Looking at the table doesn't help and at the moment the table doesn't matter to us. The final reckoning is at the end, there are still enough games to turn things around," announced Säumel. His team has gone from being the hunted to the hunter. "The team has proven this season that it can handle both situations," said the 40-year-old.

It is not ideal for him that in Linz, Böving and Grgic, two strikers, will be suspended. Due to the injuries of Seedy Jatta and Fally Mayulu, the personnel situation in the offense was already tense. "The squad depth is not getting bigger, but when I saw the mentality and attitude, you hardly noticed the numerical disadvantage, then I am convinced that we will strike back on Sunday," explained Sturm's coach. Trouble threatens the club due to another matter. Gishamer announced a complaint due to a cup being thrown at the referee team during their departure.

(APA/Red)

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