Comments on the game

Ilzer: “We achieved the minimum goal”

Sturm Graz's European Cup season ended as expected in Lille. With a 1:1 (1:1) draw, the Austrian soccer runners-up got off to a respectable start against the league runners-up from France on Thursday.

Christian Ilzer (Sturm coach): "We left this international stage for this year in Sturm-like fashion. We achieved the minimum target and showed a clearly improved performance compared to the clash in Graz. We wanted to get a good result, show a good game. We managed to do that. We had a top chance with Tomi Horvat, which would have been a key moment to really get things going. On the other hand: If I have to think back to the top chance in the 2nd minute, it shows how far away we were from promotion."

StefanHierländer (Sturm captain): "You could see in the first ten minutes how great the belief and will were. Of course we have to reward ourselves for that. It would have been exciting to see how it would have developed. But it was a cool European Cup season, shampoo to the team. We didn't put in the performance we wanted to against Lille at home, but today was a conciliatory finish."

Jusuf Gazibegovic (attacking defender): "Today was a good response to last week, so I'm a bit proud. The win was there. We were aggressive and had our chances. We dared to do more today, played our pressing game. I think it's a dignified farewell. We can go out with our heads up."

Christian Jauk (Sturm president): "We said goodbye with our heads held high. A European journey that took us to the round of 16 doesn't happen that often. We showed what the team is made of today. We can be proud of what we've achieved this season."

PauloFonseca (Lille coach): "I can't say I'm satisfied, but we went into the game with a three-goal lead. The players did enough to go up. But we could have managed it better. But of course it was difficult when you start the game with such a lead. We're satisfied, but we want more."