Arnautovic Set to Face Sturm Graz in Europa League Clash Amid Club Turmoil
Austria’s football champions, Sturm Graz, and their supporters are bracing for a challenging Europa League encounter with Red Star Belgrade, potentially featuring ÖFB (Austrian Football Association) team star Marko Arnautovic. Reports from Serbian media indicate the 36-year-old forward has been cleared to play in Thursday’s match in Graz (6:45 p.m. local time, live on Servus TV) after recovering from an adductor injury sustained in late November.
While Arnautovic’s return is a boost for Red Star Belgrade, the extent of his playing time remains uncertain. Regardless of his availability, Sturm Graz faces a formidable opponent in the Serbian record champions, boasting 14 championship titles. The Styrian club’s preparations are further complicated by internal strife and recent inconsistent performances.
Following a recent derby win against GAK, Sturm coach Jürgen Säumel publicly voiced concerns about the club’s internal dynamics. “Many things don’t fit in the club,” he stated, adding that “Everyone can see that the squad is unbalanced in some positions.” Sources indicate a power struggle between Säumel and sports director Michael Parensen is at the heart of the issues.
Club President Christian Jauk emphasized the need for discretion, stating, “My philosophy is to discuss things internally and not to go public with them. That is damaging to everyone involved.” His comments suggest disapproval of his coach’s public critique. Sturm Graz will attempt to set aside these internal conflicts in upcoming matches against Red Star Belgrade today and Vienna Austria on Sunday, but Jauk’s intervention appears inevitable.
Elsewhere in European competition, FC Salzburg traveled to Freiburg for their Europa League away game without head coach Thomas Letsch, who is sidelined due to illness. Salzburg, featuring ÖFB players Philipp Lienhart and Junior Adamu, faces a tough challenge against the undefeated German Bundesliga club.
SK Rapid Wien, competing in the Conference League, will seek their first points in a home game against Omonia Nicosia on Thursday evening (9 p.m. local time, live on Sky).