After the 1: 4 against Eindhoven: The Graz coach Ilzer praised his team for the second half.
Sturm Graz also wants to take positive things with them from the 1: 4 on Thursday evening in the football Europa League against PSV Eindhoven. After their second defeat in Group B, Graz are at the bottom of the table without a point. For coach Christian Ilzer, the second half against the Dutch runner-up was the best so far in the current competition.
“Even though we lost 3-1 in the second half, we acted in a way that ultimately helps us advance – extremely actively and with a lot of staff,” explained Ilzer. After Jon Gorenc-Stankovic's goal, Sturm was close to equalizing. “We had a phase where we really pushed Eindhoven into it,” said captain Stefan Hierländer.
Looking for constancy
So far, what is missing in international business is consistency. “We need more than 90 minutes for this phase, which we then had for 20 minutes,” emphasized Hierländer. “In the Europa League, we need top performance over a long period of time. We haven't managed to do that in the two games yet.” The next chance to do this is on October 21 in Graz against Real Sociedad. The Basques are also still without a win in the nominally enormously strong group.
In Sturm, an improvement was already noticeable compared to the start, when there was practically no chance in the 0: 1 against AS Monaco. “We were on a goal in several situations,” said Ilzer. “But of course PSV have shown, when they have space, that the team can take advantage of icy cold situations.” Before the counterattack to the 0: 2, the Styrians were annoyed about a non-given foul on David Affengruber. Ilzer spoke of a “crystal clear penalty”.
“Top heavy”
His team came out of the dressing room well after a dull first half. “We were very top-heavy in the first half, too cautious – even if we did not allow much. It was clear to us at half time that we had not invested enough forward,” said the storm coach. “We wanted to kindle hearts and passions in the second half. That way you can put a great team like Eindhoven into trouble.”
In the finish, however, the favorite made things clear. PSV coach Roger Schmidt spoke of a “very good game with great goals”. His team had recently anything but convinced with two defeats in the last three league games. Leading the table in the Europa League comes in handy. “Troubled PSV turns Sturm Graz into a mild breeze,” headlined the Dutch daily “De Telegraaf”.
At least their national series of successes want to continue the Graz on Sunday in Hartberg. “We have to tick off the game quickly, first and foremost regenerate well because we don't have much time,” said Ilzer. Eight games is the second in the Bundesliga unbeaten. For now, however, he should have to do without Otar Kiteishvili. The Georgian, one of the most conspicuous players, received a blow on the calf against PSV and was examined in the hospital that evening.
