SK Sturm Graz won Sunday’s top game at the start of the Admiral Bundesliga championship group in front of their home crowd against SK Rapid Vienna 3-1.
In a gripping encounter, the “Blackies” finally prevailed and stayed close on Red Bull Salzburg’s heels.
Right from the start, the spectators in the Merkur Arena in Graz are treated to a real hit game, in which the hosts get off to an ideal start. After a bad pass from Querfeld in the build-up game, Sturm switched over at lightning speed. Prass ideally serves Horvat, who is centrally positioned on the edge of the box. He has an eye for goalgetter Emegha, who doesn’t give Hedl a chance and slides in to make it 1-0 (6′).
Previously, Rapid had bad luck with a Knasmüllner shot that Stefan Hierländer could still block (3rd).
Burgstaller gives guests hope, storm strikes before the break
Despite the early shock, it doesn’t take long for the guests from Hütteldorf to find the right answer. Burgstaller initiates an attack at lightning speed with a throw-in, the ball lands after a change of sides at Schick, who has returned from the starting XI, and who puts the veteran Burgstaller in the limelight in an exemplary manner. The Carinthian doesn’t miss it and scores a worthwhile equalizer (17′).
As a result, the two teams put up a real fight, characterized by tough duels and offensive efforts by both teams.
Shortly before the half-time break, the game really picks up speed again. Rapid combines into the storm sixteen and has a huge opportunity through Kerschbaum and Grüll. Almost in return, Sturm initiates an attack from the left, and active post Schnegg puts Tomi Horvat in the limelight with a sharp cross. Hedl can only clear the Slovenian’s shot at Sarkaria’s feet, who chases the ball into the net (45+1′).
The goal is first disallowed for an alleged offside position, but declared valid after a VAR check. It’s 2-1 at break.
Kiteishvili makes everything clear
Even after the break, Sturm is committed and focused, creating more danger in front of the opposing goal than the guests. Emegha almost puts together a brace in the 53rd minute after a strong one-on-one action, but Hedl excels.
The Hütteldorfer can hardly create chances, seem offensively unimaginative.
Substitute Kiteishvili made the preliminary decision in the 70th minute after a hair-raising miss from Auer.
Emegha serves the Georgian in an exemplary manner with a well-timed pass, Kiteishvili coolly pushes the ball past Hedl into the far corner. Then Rapid can’t think of anything more important, and the Grazers don’t add any more goals either. The game ends with 3:1 for Graz.
This is the next setback for Rapid after the derby bankruptcy and is now fourth in the table.
The SK Sturm, on the other hand, managed an incredibly important victory in the championship race, only three points missing from the league croesus from Salzburg.
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