Stephan Helm: ‘We are ready for Sturm Graz’

The Veilchen welcome Sturm Graz to the Generali-Arena tomorrow (6:30 pm) in the supplementary match of the 6th Bundesliga round. Head coach Stephan Helm believes his team is well prepared: ‘We're going into the game with high expectations!’

Stephan Helm about...

...the derby:

‘I think we put on a very attractive game with plenty of chances. We sold ourselves very expensively. I was annoyed after the game because I think we presented ourselves well. Certain things didn't go our way.’

...internal repercussions of what happened in the derby:

‘We hardly noticed it all, we were in the dressing room. We saw most of it through the media. That's why we have a certain emotional distance to it. It's an incredible pity what happened. It had nothing to do with sporting rivalry. But I don't think it has any emotional resonance within the team.’

...on Marko Raguž and Aleksandar Dragović:

‘It's very pleasing that Marko Raguž was able to complete his first few minutes. The whole team was delighted for him. These were his first steps and he's getting his time. I am convinced that he will quickly show what quality he has. Aleks Dragović's substitution was a safety measure. He's a very experienced player and knows his body very well. It looks good that he will still be available to us.’

...tomorrow's clash with Sturm Graz:

‘We've already prepared for Sturm before the derby. We are prepared. Sturm Graz and Christian Ilzer are doing an incredibly good job, you have to take your hat off to them. Nevertheless, I think we're really stable. We're going into the game with high expectations.’

Personnel news

Nik Prelec's calf cramped up in the derby, but fortunately it is unlikely to be a serious muscle injury. A start against Sturm is questionable. Marvin Martins is involved in training and is being carefully introduced to the team. Johannes Handl is expected to return to team training in two to three weeks. Marvin Potzmann has been training with the team since last week and is expected to return soon. Luca Pazourek was back on the pitch for the first time today but, like Ziad El Sheiwi, is not yet an issue.