SK Sturm Graz defied its own negative run of the last few weeks and ensured the first point win of this Europa League season against Real Sociedad. The “Blackies” will play 1: 1 away against the Spanish league leaders on matchday four.
Sturm made a courageous appearance in the first half, but the home side from San Sebastian still had a plus in chances. Both Jörg Siebenhandl and David Affengruber, however, keep the 0-0 with rescue acts on the line.
Shortly before the break, the Grazers, who are always good for pinpricks, seize the lead in heavy rain. Manprit Sarkaria leaves his opponent on the right wing and then serves Jakob Jantscher with a perfect Stangl pass. The substitute captain then dusts off dry to the lead (38th).
However, Real Sociedad strikes back in the second half. Alexander Sörloth is spot on after an extended corner and maneuvers the ball at the second post to 1: 1 over the line (53rd).
The Graz team are clearly more cautious in the second half than they were at the beginning. Real Sociedad are also much closer to victory, but Ivan Ljubic can clear the Basques’ best opportunity, a volley from Mikel Merino from close range, on the line. In stoppage time Sturm is still in luck when Igor Zubeldia nets the ball from offside.
Sturm is the first punk in this Europa League season, but remains last in the group with one point. AS Monaco remain first with eight points after the 0-0 win against PSV Eindhoven (Phillipp Mwene plays through at PSV). Real Sociedad has six points and Eindhoven five.
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Graz residents defy personnel worries
The Bundesliga runners-up had come to the Spanish leaders with cracked self-confidence and personnel worries. Kelvin Yeboah gave a positive Corona rapid test at noon and had to pass as the fifth regular player at short notice. Manprit Sarkaria was the strike partner for Jantscher – a combination that should click later. With Andreas Kuen and Alexandar Borkovic only two established actors sat on the bench.
Ilzer tried to condense the center with a defensive five-man chain and steer the favorite to the flanks. Spain’s ex-team player David Silva sailed just under a cross for an early wake-up call (2nd), but otherwise had little fun with the man marking. Goalie Jörg Siebenhandl was on the post after a bustle and shot from Sørloth (16.). In between, Alexander Prass found Jantscher in the back, but his warning shot was blocked (11th).
The pressure exerted by La Real was considerable, after 29 minutes the Spaniard’s eighth corner sailed into the Sturm penalty area. The prudent David Affengruber had previously blocked a shot from Portu, Siebenhandl would have been beaten (28th). Sturm was allowed to cheer after a raid-like attack: Sarkaria prevailed on the wing, marched into the penalty area and then found Jantscher with the ideal Stanglpass.
Storm saves point over time
Shortly afterwards, Sarkaria had the opportunity to pull up and away, but lost the ball in the torrential rain (43.). The Grazers saved the lead in the break with hanging and choking. The rain changed the space considerably, but not the direction: Sørloth successfully held out his foot after an extended corner to make it 1: 1. The Norwegian striker almost succeeded in the double strike, Affengruber blocked the first attempt (56th), Prass straddled into the second (62nd). The Basques’ corners continued to be extremely dangerous: Mikel Merino defeated Siebenhandl, but not Ivan Ljubic, who scraped the ball off the line (69th).
20 minutes before the end, Ilzer changed for the first time, Jantscher made way for Kuen. Until recently, the focus was on the Graz defense. Siebenhandl fended off Sørloth’s forced shot in the middle, and Ljubic faked the margin over the goal (82nd). In the finish, Siebenhandl closed the door twice against substitute Alexander Isak. And Sturm also knocked again, but Sarkaria’s attempt from the edge of the penalty area was too central (89th). Moritz Wels made his European Cup debut from the 83rd minute. The Basques cheered again, but the goal after a corner rightly did not count because of offside (93.).
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