Comparison with Salzburg

Schopp: “Sturm is partly better than the original”

Markus Schopp criticized the naivety of his replacement-weakened squad in the final.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Markus Schopp had very mixed feelings about his Hartberg side's 2:2 draw in Klagenfurt. For the TSV coach, however, the victory that was given away at the last second had other reasons besides a good dose of naivety. Now Sturm awaits the team from Graz - Schopp has the Blacks fully on his radar in the title race.

 "We are currently in a situation of wanting more, sighs Markus Schopp, "and are reaching our limits. We don't want to take the next step in our development. It's similar to last season, when we had the chance to make the international play-offs but totally messed it up against Lustenau."

On the one hand, Schopp knows that Hartberg were still in the relegation battle last summer and that the championship round is an admirable achievement, but treading water hurts: "We deserved three points in Klagenfurt, but didn't manage to take our chances and then don't need to get upset when we get the equalizer from a penalty in the 99th minute. There really was a lot of naivety involved." However, this was also due to the suspensions of Mamadou Sangare, Donis Avdijaj and Manuel Pfeifer: "Without the experience of these three key players, there was a lot of nervousness on the pitch - and that has an impact. We lack strength across the board."

Avdijaj's suspension was painfully visible in Klagenfurt. However, the key player will be back against Sturm.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The coach is therefore happy to have this trio back against Sturm on Sunday: "Because I know the force and intensity we will face. I see Sturm as a copy of Salzburg this year, which is already better than the original in many ways. Salzburg are only better individually in certain positions."