Austrian Champions Sturm Graz earned a 0-1 win in their Champions League home match against Club Bruges.
Sturm will play against Brugge on Wednesday evening.
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Sturm Graz failed to get the points they were hoping for in their first Champions League home game in over 23 years. The underdog Austria’s double winner had to earn a narrow but deserved victory over Belgian champions Club Bruges 0-1 (0-1) in Klagenfurt on Wednesday after a hard-fought battle. Coach Christian Ilzer’s team suffered their second defeat in the second game of the league stage in the top class.
Champions League Stage – 2nd matchday
Tzolis was the match winner for Bruges with a great shot into the far corner of the crossbar (23rd). For the red-white-red representatives, however, it was their fourth win in as many Champions League games. Sturm were beaten at the start at Stade Brest (1:2), and second place Salzburg still has no points after two out of eight rounds. Sturm’s next opportunity will be on October 22 in the home game against Sporting Lisbon.
Without the three main defensive players injured Wüthrich, Gorenc Stankovic (both injured) and Lavalee (suspended), Ilzer had to make changes. Geyrhofer celebrated his Champions League debut in central defence, while Chukwuani provided the clearance in front of the defence. The teenagers Yalcouyé (18) and Camara (19) were in the starting line for the first time in the starting class as well, the Ilzer squad had an average age of 22.1 years.
Before kick-off, Sturm’s supporters expressed their displeasure with the alternative venue in Carinthia. “Incidentally, we are of the opinion that Graz must be Sturm’s hometown,” said the largest of many banners. Since the stadium in Liebenau does not meet the requirements for the premier class, most of the 23,205 fans had to make the trip to the Wörthersee Stadium.
Sturm’s attacking pressure came out against the Belgians who were confident on the ball
With the home fans in high spirits, the Graz team largely managed to keep the favored Belgians away from their own goal in the early stages. The visitors had long periods of possession and coach Nicky Hayen’s team looked patiently for holes in the attacking defence. In the 16th minute, Tzoli storm goalkeeper Scherpen tested, and a little later the Greeks sank the ball into the far top corner after an ideal exchange pass from Onyedika using the inside bar. Johnston’s goal had been miscalculated.
After conceding the goal, Ilzer’s team looked much braver and had more of the game. However, Camara’s cylinder (26th), Yalcouyé’s deflected shot (29th) and Biereth’s blocked effort (39th) did not pose much of a threat to the goal. The second half started evenly, with both teams trying to gain a fun advantage. Then Sturm was able to thank Scherpen, who overcame a great chance from the independent Jutgla (56th). Moments earlier, the Dutch goalkeeper was also there for Tzolis’ shot.
Ilzer tried to bring new momentum with the substitutes Jatta, Horvat and Yardimci. That worked too, Bruges goalkeeper Mignolet had to intervene on Horvat’s cross (68′), Chukwuani’s shot went wide (69′). Sturm kept the game open and had the best chance to equalize with Chukwuani’s header from a corner (76′).
In the last phase, Bruges managed to take the lead smartly and were unlucky that Skoras lost the ball straight into the far corner (84′). On the other side, Mignolet was very successful at Geyrhofer’s shot (86′). But the expected equalizer was no longer possible. After the final whistle, some Bruges fans put on a concert by throwing some Bengalos onto the pitch.