Personnel worries again

Sturm coach is now a hobbyist and a rose cavalier

After the 0:1 blank in the league opener against Rapid, Sturm have their sights set on their first three-pointer against Hartberg in front of a sell-out crowd on Sunday (17). But it will be hard work, as the East Styrians have made life difficult for Sturm in recent home games with regular annoyances: 1:1, 2:1, 0:0!

The Schopp team will probably not be easy to deal with on Sunday either. "Hartberg lost the first game, but played a good game against a strong LASK team. Just like last year, Markus Schopp has managed to form a very good team there with a clear signature," says Christian Ilzer, who again had two ailing professionals during the week. In addition, Zvonarek is questionable with a hamstring injury. Nonetheless: The champions want to show a different face than against Rapid. Ilzer: "Nobody liked the way we performed. We have to improve step by step."

A process that will only come to an end at the end of the season. "The big goal is to be a better team then. At the moment it feels like I'm working on a puzzle. I'm finding two pieces that fit together and I'm continuing to work on them. That has to work well with the team."

At the moment, it feels like I'm working on a jigsaw puzzle. I'm finding two pieces that fit together and I'm working on them. It has to work well with the team.

Sturm-Trainer Christian ILZER

His counterpart is also still working on an improved TSV squad. Ilzer is full of roses for Schopp and the league runners-up: "A new facet has been added to the Hartberg team, their game has become even more vertical. I believe they can make it into the championship group this season too. They get a lot out of few opportunities!"