WAC outclasses champions

LIVE from 14:30: Sturm Graz welcomes WAC

Christian Ilzer (left) and Co. lose against the WAC. The Carinthians once again take the lead in the table.

(Bild: GEPA)

Another defeat for champions Sturm! After the false start in the Champions League, there was also a setback in the Bundesliga on Sunday. The team from Graz were beaten 3-0 at home by Wolfsberger AC. The Carinthians were jubilant as they took the lead in the table with the win.

It was a painful defeat for Sturm on a day when WAC managed almost everything. After the 2-1 defeat at Stade Brest, Graz had to make way for Gregory Wüthrich, who had been injured for some time, with Emir Karic taking his place at left-back and Dimitri Lavalee playing centrally. Bayern loanee Lovro Zvonarek started in attacking midfield, otherwise Christian Ilzer saw no reason for rotations. WAC were without the injured Ervin Omic, with Sandro Altunashvili taking his place in midfield. Markus Pink started in attack for the first time since his return to the Bundesliga. Dietmar Kühbauer played his 738th match as a player or coach (421 and 317 respectively) in the top flight, equaling Heribert Weber's record of 573/165.

Award for Mario Haas
After former Sturm "bomber" Mario Haas was honored on his 50th birthday, the first dangerous scene in front of just over 15,000 spectators took place in the Wolfsburg penalty area after just a few minutes. WAC keeper Nikolas Polster took a dangerously long time after a back pass and Seedy Jatta was almost on the ball. At the other end, Ballo showed his goal threat for the first time. Sturm tried to overcome the Carinthian ranks with playful means. Jatta was already lurking, but Nicolas Wimmer just managed to clear against the Norwegian (19').

Kiteishvili makes a mistake
Shortly afterwards, the "Wolves" fans cheered - with an otherwise reliable player from Graz playing a leading role. Otar Kiteishvili took too long in his own penalty area, Ballo stole the ball from the Georgian and finished without fuss. Sturm were unable to counter until the break, made too many mistakes with the ball and showed little penetration against the defensively compact visitors. After the goal, the WAC did not create any more dangerous actions.

Sturm's coaching team reacted at the break. The 18-year-old Malian Malick Yalcouyé came on for the barely noticeable Zvonarek, while Karic, who had already been cautioned with a yellow card, made way for Niklas Geyrhofer. Sturm exerted more pressure. However, as Graz did not pose any danger from set-pieces either, Wolfsburg defended their lead without fear at first. A well-struck shot from Kiteishvili was saved by Polster (62'), and the Austrian U21 team goalkeeper was also on hand to save Mika Biereth's attempt (63').

Dream goal from Atanga 
After Yalcouyé, Erencan Yardimci also made his league debut for Sturm. With 20 minutes remaining, however, WAC made the final decision. Atanga created space for himself with a one-two with Jasic and spectacularly hammered the ball under the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. It was WAC's first dangerous attacking move of the second half. Sturm failed to reply. An injury to Jon Gorenc Stankovic also caused concern for the champions, who had to leave the pitch early. At 3:0, the 18-year-old Slovenian Kojzek finally outwitted two Graz players at the corner flag and finished from an acute angle.

Sturm Graz - Wolfsberger AC 0:3 (0:1)
Graz, Merkur Arena, 15,032 spectators, referee Hameter

Goals: 0:1 (20.) Ballo, 0:2 (72.) Atanga, 0:3 (94.) Kojzek
Yellow cards: Karic, Lavalee, Gazibegovic and Nwaiwu respectively

Sturm: Scherpen - Gazibegovic, Aiwu, Lavalee, Karic (46. Geyrhofer) - Gorenc Stankovic (80. Chukwuani) - Horvat, Zvonarek (46. Yalcouye), Kiteishvili - Biereth (75. Grgic), Jatta (66. Yardimci)
WAC: N. Polster - Jasic, Baumgartner, Wimmer, Ullmann - Altunashvili, Piesinger - Atanga (84. Agyemang), Zukic (74. Nwaiwu), Ballo (84. Gattermayer) - Pink (61. Kojzek)