After debacle: Sturm conjures up "different face"

Six days after the dismal evening in Norway, Sturm Graz will be playing for glory at their temporary home, the Wörthersee Stadium. A win in the return match against Bodö/Glimt is their goal before the highly likely move to the Europa League.
For Jürgen Säumel and the Sturm team, it's all about an honorable Champions League exit. GEPA pictures
After the 5-0 defeat in the first leg against Bodö/Glimt , SK Sturm Graz is aiming for a respectable exit from the Champions League qualifiers. Before the virtually hopeless return leg on Tuesday (9 p.m., LIVE! on kicker) in Klagenfurt, only the most optimistic Graz fans are still dreaming of a miracle. At least the Sturm fans who traveled to the temporary home ground will be appeased with a win. "We're going in with the goal of winning the game," says head coach Jürgen Säumel.
"We want to win the game. What happens next is up in the air," Sturm defender Emir Karic also announced. "We want to leave with our heads held high." Since the defeat in northern Norway, there have been intense discussions within the team. "We analyzed the game in detail and tried to show the team the mistakes and solutions. We spoke plainly, addressed things bluntly. I'm 100 percent sure that the team will show a completely different face on Tuesday," Säumel told Sky Austria. Just over 7,000 tickets were sold on Monday.
Jon Gorenc Stankovic already hinted last week that the blow might be difficult to swallow. "It will be really hard to forget this game, but we still have to move on," demanded Sturm's midfielder, who, like his teammates, was completely lost on the slippery artificial turf.
Johnston probably before returning to the islandThe Austrian champions had already postponed their weekend league match against WSG Tirol, following Glimt's example. Now Sturm faces a test of character. Säumel's team proved that it can succeed last January. Back then, they suffered a 5-0 defeat to Atalanta in Bergamo, before defeating RB Leipzig 1-0 a week later to conclude the Champions League. Sturm will be looking to redeem themselves in what will likely be their only "home" game against Klagenfurt this season. For this reason alone, it's unlikely that Säumel, who has hoped in vain for squad reinforcements in recent weeks, will make a significant rotation.

There's a question mark over Max Johnston's availability. According to media reports, the 21-year-old Scot is set to move to English second-division club Derby County. However, the right-back participated in the final training session on Monday. "We'll wait and see. The fact is that Max has inquiries," Säumel said, remaining tight-lipped on the matter. In general, the former pro is already clear "that we have to talk about a major upheaval at the club, simply because so many players have left."
Sturm in main competition for the fifth time in a rowAccording to some players, Bodö will also not take any (personnel) risks on the road to their first Champions League qualification and the €18.62 million entry fee. Sturm Graz will, after all, be guaranteed their fifth consecutive participation in a UEFA main competition. Elimination in the playoffs will earn them a financial consolation prize of €4.29 million plus the €4.31 million entry fee for the Europa League. Each point in the league phase will then be worth an additional €150,000.
