Sturm was eliminated from the European Cup 1:4 after a 1:1 draw in Lille

The sensation in the form of promotion to the quarter-finals of the Conference League was out of reach after the 3-0 defeat in the first leg.Lille. The optimal course of play that Sturm had hoped for was not suitable for the dreamed comeback. Lille introduced Tiago Santos (43′). Mika Biereth headed a header from Gregory Wüthrich into the goal to make it 1-1 (45th+1). For ÖFB representatives, the international season is over.

• Read more: Lille let Sturm come to nothing in the first leg

Despite missing out on promotion to the Europa League, Sturm experienced the most successful European Cup season of the almost four-year Christian Ilzer/Andreas Schicker era. As the beneficiary of the third UEFA club competition, Graz wintered in Europe for the first time in 23 years. Financially, the most expensive storm squad in history once again brought in almost a double-digit million sum (only bonuses, market pool, excluding match day revenue).

Ilzer spared key workers

After the clear first comparison, the people of Graz only set out for northern France with faint hopes. Ilzer initially paid no attention to the championship group start on Sunday in Klagenfurt, but then he took key players off the field early on. Max Johnston was supposed to bring in dynamism on the right, Jusuf Gazibegovic defended on the left. Szymon Wlodarczyk stormed alongside Biereth, Stefan Hierländer led the team as captain.

Like many Lille stars, Alexander Prass initially sat on the bench in the only half-filled Stade Pierre-Mauroy after a recent hip flexor problem. Lille spared regular staff. Compared to the first leg, there were seven new players in the starting line-up. The troops first had to find each other.

Sturm more courageous at the beginning

Sturm was the more courageous and dangerous team in the early stages. The chance for the dream start was there. Vito Mannone, who was in goal this time, made way for Tomi Horvat (2nd). The guests showed well-known virtues from the league, but the goal was missing to spark a comeback.

The “Great Danes” gradually bit into the game and successfully stole the pace. After a mistake by Sturm in the build-up to the game, Wüthrich was just there with his long leg against Remy Cabella (26th). Yusuf Yazıcı deflected a Cabella shot into the goal, but it was offside (30′).

Lille advanced through a defender who moved up. Nine Grazers in the penalty area were not enough to prevent the deficit. A clearance from Dimitri Lavalée landed on Hakon Haraldsson, who substituted Tiago Santos. The right-back hit the corner with his left to make it 1-0 (43′). Sturm immediately sent a sign of life. Practically with the half-time whistle, Wüthrich successfully heaved himself into a Horvat corner, Biereth marginally deflected the header with the top of his head (45th + 1).

Defense chief Wüthrich was replaced with an injury

The Arsenal loanee then remained in the dressing room for Amady Camara. Prass also came into play for Otar Kiteishvili. Jonathan David made it 2-1 early (49′). With the Canadian top scorer came more normally seeded players. Before the upcoming duel with league runners-up Brest, coach Paulo Fonseca gradually converted the B set back into the A set.

Sturm continued to play a decent game without developing too much of a goal threat. Wüthrich landed hard on the shoulder in a running duel and the defense chief was replaced by David Affengruber. Lille could no longer be lured out and only occasionally made offensive pinpricks. Storm goalie Vitezslav Jaros had to prove himself against Yazıcı (70th). Camara was missing the perfect finish for self-promotion (77′). Both teams didn’t take full risks after that. Lille remained unbeaten for the 35th time in their last 36 home games.