Towards the end of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga, since the league reform in 2018, and indeed not for many years, it has not been as exciting as the current 2023/24 season, in which the champion will only be determined in the last round. Two points ahead of “Jäger” and series champion FC Red Bull Salzburgwho still believes in the eleventh title en suite, is the front runner SK Sturm Graz continues to be in “pole position” on Sunday (5 p.m., League portal LIVE TICKER) against Austria Klagenfurt the second match point for the fourth championship title in the club’s 115-year history. But there is one difference player missing: Otar Kiteishvili.
Always intense in the duels: Otar Kiteishvili (r.), here against Valon Berisha from LASK.
With nine goals and six assists, top scorer for leaders SK Sturm
The 28-year-old attacking midfielder is a key player and an essential factor in head coach Christian Ilzer’s concept (who and his team are facing their 50th competitive game of the season next Sunday). And: One for the important, special goals – whether international or national. Like recently on Sunday in the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, where Otar Kiteishvili, after being 0-1 down, turned things around with his brace (30th/48th) and gave Graz a temporary 2-1 lead against LASK (final score: 2:2). See also Round 31 team.
With nine goals, the Georgian, who qualified for a European Football Championship with his country for the first time (June 14th – July 14th, 2024 in Germany) and also contributed six assists, is the league leader’s top scorer (see also BL top scorers list). But in addition to nine hits, there were also nine yellow cards. The 34-time national player from Georgia received the ninth ten minutes after his second goal in Linz from Vienna police officer Julian Weinberger for a foul on George Bello (58th).
Therefore, the delicate goalscorer of “Schwoazn” is missing on Sunday in the showdown and next “champion match point” against sixth-placed SK Austria Klagenfurt, for which in the long-distance duel with TSV Hartberg (away at SK Rapid) they are still fighting for fifth place and thus the BL -European Cup playoff finals and possibly a Carinthian derby (see also HERE).
Kiteishvili was missing from only three BL defeats
Not a good omen without Otari for SK Sturm Graz, who was missing from their only three Bundesliga defeats this season. In the fall, “creative head” Kiteishvili was sidelined in the home game against Austria Vienna (0-1) on October 29th and a week later on November 5th away at LASK (1-3) due to Achilles tendon problems. The 1.73 meter tall Georgian also missed the first championship group duel with FC Red Bull Salzburg (0-1) on March 31st due to a calf injury.
In his total of 25 BL games this season, he was in the starting line-up 24 times.
Without Otar Kiteishvili, Christian Ilzer’s team will be in demand against Austria Klagenfurt on Sunday.
“Of course he always has outstanding moments, but there are plenty of candidates who can do that too”
SK Sturm’s successful coach Christian Ilzer said after the LASK game on Sky when asked about the suspension of his midfield engine “We will try to replace him as a collective and we will succeed. Of course it’s about collectiveness, because we want to potentiate our qualities. Of course he always has outstanding moments, but there are plenty of candidates who can do that too. I am convinced that other players will have great moments.”
Maybe veteran Jon Gorenc Stankovič? The 28-year-old Slovenian is returning to defensive midfield after his red card suspension, while on the other side Klagenfurt’s top scorer Sinan Karweina has also served his suspension. However, Scotland’s Andy Irving (fifth yellow card), who turns 24 this Monday, is a key player who is out.
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Photo credit: Harry Dostal/www.sport-bilder.at