Before a European Cup week, which was important for both teams, both teams extended their unbeaten series. Salzburg set the tone in the tired first half, but ended up failing to score for the first time this season. Sturm inflicted their last competitive defeat on Salzburg in the second round with a 2-1 win in Graz and thus won the direct duel in the regular season. The surprise was not repeated, however, because Strahinja Pavlovic, who was ruled out in the finish, stopped the ready-to-shoot storm attacker William Böving with a great deed (70th). After a penalty call in the storm’s penalty area in injury time, Salzburg’s spirits heated up.
The “Bulls” receive the English top club Chelsea for the penultimate Champions League group game on Tuesday as a team unbeaten in 17 competitive games. Sturm have been unbeaten in eight games and are looking for revenge against Feyenoord Rotterdam in Graz on Thursday after the 6-0 loss in the first leg of the Europa League.
Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle had to change his squad again after warming up. Luka Sucic slipped out of the starting eleven with adductor problems and was replaced in the position behind the double lead by Lawrence Agyekum. The 18-year-old from Ghana made his debut in the starting XI.
Otherwise, both coaches relied on speed in attack. Jaissle fielded Junior Adamu and Noah Okafor. Christian Ilzer gave preference to Böving and Emanuel Emegha over the cup heroes Albian Ajeti and Jakob Jantscher.
The defensive ranks were initially decisive in the sold-out league hit (16,094 spectators). Just Salzburg defender Pavlovic also made the offensive action worth seeing with a slalom run through half of the Graz back line. The Serb then put the shot next to Jörg Siebenhandl’s goal (37′).
Salzburg had the slight chance plus on their side. Adamu headed over the bar (6′), a long-range shot by Maurits Kjaergaard swept past the right post (16′). Sturm kept the intense game open, but only showed offensively in the 31st minute with a free kick from Jusuf Gazibegovic. Salzburg goalie Philipp Köhn parried the attempt.
Salzburg’s central defender Oumar Solet, whose mission had been shaky beforehand, stayed in the dressing room at half-time as a precautionary measure. Kamil Piatkowski seamlessly replaced the Frenchman.
After a raid-like storm attack Tomi Horvat had the 1:0 on the foot. The Slovene failed from close range at the dipping Köhn, who caught the ball a few centimeters from the line (56′). The game picked up speed thanks to more risk and more deals. Both coaches hoped for additional impetus from the “jokers” Benjamin Sesko and Ajeti.
Pavlovic scratched the ball just over the bar with a header to make it 1-0 again and only seconds later prevented Salzburg from falling behind with an emergency slide against William Böving (70th). Böving had already passed Köhn after a through ball.
In the completely open finish, Adamu (79’/head, 87′) and Ajeti (83’/Stanglpass) missed what was probably the decisive stroke. In stoppage time, Pavlovic saw a yellow-red card after a duel with Mohamed Fuseini in the Graz penalty area. Referee Stefan Ebner decided on Schwalbe in the disputed scene.
Source: Nachrichten
