Clear 4:0 home win

Sturm Graz vs Wolfsberger AC LIVE from 5pm

Mika Biereth celebrates for SK Sturm

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm Graz remain hot on Salzburg's heels in the Bundesliga. The runners-up won their home match against WAC on Sunday 4:0 (0:0) after scoring four goals in 25 minutes. After a huge chance for Wolfsberg, a double strike from Mika Biereth (66') and Manprit Sarkaria (70') put Sturm on course, while Dimitri Lavalee (85') and David Affengruber (89') ensured a clear result.

Going into the final round of the basic round, Christian Ilzer's side, now unbeaten in eight rounds, are still two points behind the defending champions. WAC, meanwhile, have to bid farewell to the race for a place in the championship group. Eighth in the table, the Lavanttaler no longer have any chance of slipping into the top six.

For Sturm, it was also a successful dress rehearsal ahead of the first leg of the last 16 of the Conference League against OSC Lille on Thursday. Four days before the clash with the top team from the French Ligue 1, Ilzer sent his strongest eleven onto the pitch, with the exception of Gregory Wüthrich, who was suspended. Manfred Schmid had no reason to make any changes, fielding the same team as in the previous week's win in Linz.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm had more of the play, only the decisive pass in the attacking third was not successful at first. The WAC also managed to close down the space in front of their own penalty area. The strong Otar Kiteishvili tried twice, his first attempt was blocked (9'), then WAC keeper Hendrik Bonmann was in the right place (17'). Shortly before the break, Kiteishvili found Biereth, but the Dane missed the target.

Zimmermann missed a huge chance
In contrast to their defense, the visitors did not do enough in attack. The Lavanttaler were unable to create a real scoring chance in the first half. Nevertheless, they were on course for a point. After an hour of play at the latest, Wolfsburg sensed all the more clearly the possibility of a surprise. Thierno Ballo shook off Jon Gorenc Stankovic, who had already been yellow-carded, and found Bernhard Zimmermann, who made a solo run towards the Sturm goal but was denied by Vitezslav Jaros (61').

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

All goals in the second half
Sturm wavered during this phase and were barely in the game before Biereth brought his team back on course. The Arsenal loanee initiated the attack himself and finished with a header after a cross from Alexander Prass. On one occasion, the WAC defense was not in the picture.

It was to get even worse for the Carinthians within a few minutes. This time Biereth was the provider, Sarkaria finishing from close range. Just a few minutes later, Bonmann fisted the ball away and hit Biereth on the head. Referee Julian Weinberger initially awarded a penalty, but reversed his decision after VAR intervention. But goals were still to come. Lavalee headed a free-kick over the line before Affengruber scored from a corner kick.

SK Sturm Graz - Wolfsberger AC 4:0 (0:0)
Graz, Merkur Arena, 13,507 spectators
SR Weinberger

Goals: 1:0 (66.) Biereth, 2:0 (70.) Sarkaria, 3:0 (85.) Lavalee, 4:0 (89.) Affengruber

Sturm : Jaros - Gazibegovic, Affengruber, Lavalee, Schnegg (60. Geyrhofer) - Gorenc Stankovic - Horvat, Kiteishvili (84. Böving), Prass (74. Johnston) - Sarkaria (74. Camara), Biereth (84. Wlodarczyk)

WAC: Bonmann - Baumgartner, Omic, Scherzer - Jasic (90. Diabate), Altunashvili, Tijani, Ibertsberger (90. P. Müller) - Boakye, Zimmermann (63. Karamoko), Ballo (75. Sabitzer)

Yellow cards: Kiteishvili, Gorenc Stankovic or Altunashvili, Zimmermann, Bonmann, Baumgartner