How much chance does a side 0-2 down until the 73rd minute have of taking a result? Not much at all, you would say. Our boys showed it can be done in the big match against SK Sturm Graz. Not insignificant is the fact that the 2-2 draw means we have the better head-to-head record against the Graz side, which means we would come out on top if we are level on points with the league leaders.
The biggest match of the season did not start well for us as Christian Ilzer's side took the lead in the first minute and made it 2-0 in the 35th.
What we lacked in the first half, we found in the second, however - willpower, determination and our sheer hunger for goals. With the fresh legs of Sekou Koita, Dorgeles Nene and Daouda Guindo, we were a side transformed at the end of the encounter. The match was a huge one for our fans too with the energy from the stands after we reduced our deficit to 1-2 powering our boys on.
Our attack showed its sturdiness in hoisting us back from two-down, with the Oscar Gloukh and Karim Konate axis once again crucial. The Israeli has been our conductor and the Ivorian our master finisher of late, and that combination gives us hope in the final weeks of the season. In the past three Bundesliga matches, Konate has five goals while Gloukh has a goal and five assists to his name.
Our Red Bulls have shown real determination under the guidance of Onur Cinel. By battling to a point, we have prevented Graz from opening up a bigger lead. We still go into the crucial next few weeks up against it, however.
Our next clash comes this Sunday, 5 May at 17:00 CEST away at SK Rapid Vienna. We will have to play there as we did in the final 20 minutes against Sturm in order to capitalise should the leaders slip up!
