Test match at GAK

Two German clubs have Klagenfurt on their radar

(Bild: Kuess)

First there was a change of tactics, but then Austria Klagenfurt suffered their second-highest home defeat in the Bundesliga against Sturm Graz. Now defender Simon Straudi is worrying again. And two clubs are interested in a Klagenfurt player. 

Ouch! The euphoria at Austria Klagenfurt after making it into the "Top 6" was great - but there was a damper right at the start. Because Sturm swept over "Violett" on Sunday, some of the 6045 fans even trudged home ten minutes before the final whistle. . .

After 39 minutes, everything was already clear. Klagenfurt were taken by surprise - because Sturm were ice-cold, scoring four goals from four chances, ending 0:4.

Peter Pacult(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The second-highest home defeat was sealed early on - and Peter Pacult's tactical experiment went wrong this time: For the first time ever, the coach had opted for a 4-2-3-1 system and rightly left Irving out (because he had been totally colorless so far this spring).

Max Besuschkow(Bild: Kuess)

"The preliminary decision!"
And if Besuschkow had scored to make it 1:1, who knows - but the Hannover loanee chased the ball over the empty goal after a Prass blunder (16'). "That was also the decisive moment," said Sturm coach Chris Ilzer at the end. Pacult, however, emphasized: "Sturm are simply a quality team that punished us immediately!"

Christian Ilzer(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

For Klagenfurt captain Thorsten Mahrer, it was "a day to forget". At least they showed morale after the break and "got" a 0:0.

Klagenfurt keeper Philipp Menzel(Bild: F. Pessentheiner)

"International break is good"
"It's good that the international break is here now, when you get hit on the head like that," said keeper Philipp Menzel. The German, whose contract expires in the summer, is already on the radar of a number of German clubs: according to information from Krone, the third division clubs Saarbrücken and Sandhausen (where Klagenfurt's former boss Imhof is in charge!) are interested in the 25-year-old. The fact that the goalkeeper is quietly flirting with a return to Germany is no longer a big secret anyway. . .

"Fearing the end of the season"
Bitter: defender Simon Straudi, who had only just recovered from a foot injury, had to be substituted early on against Sturm with a muscular thigh injury (28) - an MRI should provide clarity this Monday. Pacult: "I fear the end of the season!"

The Italian will definitely not be involved in Friday's test against second division side GAK. . .