2023-08-15 20:45:00
Better than last week, but not good enough: Sturm Graz said goodbye to the Champions League with a 3-1 loss in the home game once morest Eindhoven. After losing in the third qualifying round, the Styrians are now moving on to the group stage of the Europa League.
Sturm was allowed to speculate for half an hour with the miracle of catching up the 1:4 from the first leg. William Böving (26′) let Sturm dream of the sensation for six minutes before the Dutch got serious with Joey Veerman (32′) and Luuk de Jong (39′). “We showed what we’re made of in the first half,” said Sturm coach Christian Ilzer. “It’s a shame we mightn’t take advantage of that flow any longer.”
The Dutch runners-up will pocket five million euros for reaching the play-offs, but they still have to beat Glasgow Rangers to earn the big bucks in the group stage. Sturm is playing an autumn in the Europa League for the third year in a row. Overwintering for the first time – as one of the two best in the group, or as third with the switch to the Conference League – will be the big goal for the Styrians, who are probably only in the fourth and last pot. The draw will take place on September 1st.
Sturm adapted better to Eindhoven
Ilzer decided to change formation following Eindhoven’s aerial defense. The classic midfield diamond gave way to the “Christmas tree” system (4-3-2-1). Polish striker Szymon Wlodarczyk was only on the bench for the first time since signing him. In the absence of the injured Manprit Sarkaria, Bryan Teixeira, who had not yet arrived in Graz, stormed.
Sturm should sell much more expensive than Eindhoven – at least initially. With a more compact defensive performance, the “Blackys” repeatedly used offensive pinpricks. Teixeira indicated danger with an unsuccessful shot (8th). But already in the attempted initial vortex in Graz it became apparent that PSV center forward De Jong is difficult to defend, especially in the air. Storm goalie Kjell Scherpen cleared his compatriot’s header to a corner with slight problems (9′).
After a pass from Otar Kiteishvili, Böving failed from the best position at Walter Benitez in the guest goal, but was able to celebrate a little later. Alexander Prass found the Dane on the second post and the 20-year-old finally turned Graz-Liebenau into a madhouse when he volleyed the ball into the near corner (26′).
Image: APA/Erwin Scheriau
Anyone hoping for nervous guests among the 12,571 spectators was disappointed. The storm fans, who were in a splendid mood, were not granted more than six minutes of elation. After a precise ball relay, De Jong passed it on to Veerman, who defeated Kjell Scherpen with a low shot from regarding 20 meters to a real hit (32′).
With the exception of winger Noa Lang, Peter Bosz’s guests, who had the best of players, even went on before the break. De Jong brought down a Teze cross with a pike header – the ex-Barcelona striker’s third goal once morest Sturm (39th).
Photo: Erwin Scheriau (APA/Erwin Scheriau)
The rest was a show run by guests who were happy to play and who were sure of the ball and a courageously fighting home team. David Affengruber headed in following a corner (58′). However, the goal was conceded by VAR because Jon Gorenc-Stankovic was offside (60′).
Gentle going in the second half
For the Slovenian team player, the working day was over shortly following with a look ahead to the Lustenau guest appearance on Saturday, as it was for Jusuf Gazibegovic and Otar Kiteishvili. Two new acquisitions came with Javi Serrano and Scottish debutant Max Johnston. In the finish with few chances, noble reservist Jakob Jantscher was also allowed to play and failed twice in an attack on the post (94th). Ricardo Pepi had already increased it to 3:1 by confidently converting a penalty kick caused by Gregory Wüthrich following VAR intervention (85th). Substitute Jakob Jantscher hit the post twice more in added time (94′). Gazibegovic. “This is an outstanding opponent who has so much quality and takes advantage of every mistake.”
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