Football Season Guide

Ran LASK close, but ultimately came second in the Bundesliga title race last season. It was a fair outcome - Sturm Graz did not impress throughout the course of the season, and were only in it due to the inconsistency of other teams. They've been clever in the transfer window ahead of this competition. A lack of depth hurt them a lot last season, but that won't be an issue this time around. They've added good Bundesliga-level players like Seidl and Heil to plug the gaps. Not just good players, but experienced leaders too. In a somewhat youthful team, that's essential. They've not sought to reinvent the wheel though. They know they weren't far away last season. Making Mitchell's loan move permanent was intelligent. Shoving a bit of deadwood out of the door along the way was intelligent too. Ordinarily, losing Gazibegovic, Karic, and Lavalee at the back would be a big deal. However, Lavalee's bad injury last season, Gazibegovic only being there on loan, and Karic having lost his place as the season went on means that they should be just fine. Lavalee has been replaced by bruiser Petrovic, who is expected to do well. Malic, and possibly wonderkid Hodl will occupy the WB slots now, which they're both au fait with. They've got excellent options at CM, including wonderkid Weinhandl - they'll do well to keep hold of him this season. Kiteishvili is still one of the best match-winners in the division. No cause for alarm there. Once again though, the position of striker is the reason that they may not win the title. Outcasts Kiedl, Camara, and Wlodarczyk return from loan spells, and none convinced there. Those left behind - Kayombo, Jatta, Malone, Beganovic - all struggled last season for various reasons. At a time when LASK made it clear they wanted to move natural poacher Entrup on, it's quite baffling that Sturm Graz did not weigh in on that. A point of interest - Aiwu, Geyrhofer, Camara were relegated to the "B" team for 'sporting reasons'. However, union intervention has meant that they must now train with the first-team. It seems none of them will be staying with the club for long though. Indeed, Aiwu has already left. With the quality and experience in this squad, a title push is likely. Whether they get over the finish line will depend on how well LASK do, and how well their proposed striker solutions work. Will be very hard to beat, as usual.