1:3 - Austria have to admit defeat to Sturm

Sturm took the lead after half an hour through Emmanuel Emegha. The Violets equalised immediately afterwards through goal-scorer Haris Tabaković, but in the second half Emegha was again on the spot. The Dutchman made it 2-1 and Manprit Sarkaria scored a penalty to make it 3-1.

Michael Wimmer made two changes after the win at SV Ried. Doron Leidner took the place of Manuel Polster and thus celebrated his starting debut. Matthias Braunöder was given a break and Can Keles moved into the team. Keles started at left wing, Manfred Fischer and Aleksandar Jukić formed the duo in central midfield. Dominik Fitz was back in the match squad for the first time after tearing a muscle fibre in his abdomen.

Sturm coach Christian Ilzer was back on the sidelines after his illness the previous week, the former Austria coach changing his starting line-up in only one position. David Affengruber, who had been in good form recently, was absent with an injury and Alexandar Borkovic took his place in central defence.

Sturm took the lead, Tabaković equalised

In a very intense opening phase, Sturm Graz had the first chances. Christian Früchtl pulled a finish from Emmanuel Emegha out of the short corner, the Dutchman just missed the header after the following corner (11th, 12th). In the course of the first half, the home side became stronger and stronger: A shot by Manprit Sarkaria went over the goal (23rd). In the 26th minute the Violets were very lucky when Sarkaria did not put the ball into the empty goal. A header of the ex-Austrian was saved by Früchtl shortly afterwards, Emegha put a shot next to the goal (28th, 30th).

In the 34th minute the pressure became too much and Sturm took advantage of a mistake in the build-up to the game. Tomi Horvat won the ball, Alexander Prass set up Emegha, who gave Christian Früchtl no chance, 1-0. Austria equalised immediately afterwards with the first shot on goal: Haris Tabaković scored for the 6th time this spring after a free kick by Aleksandar Jukić (36th).

With the equaliser, the Veilchen found their way into the game a bit better, shots by Can Keles and Manfred Fischer went over Arthur Okonkwo's goal (38th, 41st). Christian Früchtl saved Austria from falling behind again with a shot by Jusuf Gazibegović (45th), the teams went into the dressing rooms with a 1-1 score.

Sturm scored twice in the second half

In the second half, Austria were better attuned to their opponents and were able to keep the ball in their own ranks for longer, but it was again the Styrians who had the scoring chances. Alexander Prass just missed the goal after a pass from David Schnegg (62nd). Sturm took the lead again after 65 minutes, again Emmanuel Emegha scored - 2-1 for the runner-up. Shortly afterwards, referee Stefan Ebner awarded a penalty after a hard tackle by Reinhold Ranftl on substitute Bryan Teixeira, Manprit Sarkaria scored to make it 3-1 (71st). Ranftl received a yellow card and will miss the derby next Sunday.

Michael Wimmer then made two changes, Matthias Braunöder and Manuel Polster came on for Can Keles and Nikola Dovedan. Ten minutes before the end of the game Dominik Fitz celebrated his return. A shot by Fitz was deflected for a corner, another went over (85th, 87th). Austria will go into the decisive last round of the basic round with a one-point lead over WSG Tirol.

SK Sturm Graz - FK Austria Wien 3-1 (1-1)

Sturm: Okonkwo; Gazibegović, Wüthrich, Borkovic, Schnegg (86. Affengruber); Hierländer (66th Teixeira), Gorenc Stankovič, Horvat (78th Ljubic), Prass (86th Dante); Sarkaria, Emegha (87th Fuseini)

Austria Wien: Früchtl; Handl, Martins, Mühl; Ranftl, Fischer, Jukić, Leidner (81st Fitz); Dovedan (72nd Polster), Tabaković, Keles (72nd Braunöder)

Goals: Emegha (34th, 65th), Sarkaria (71st, penalty); Tabaković (36th)

Yellow cards: Ranftl (71st), Braunöder (90th+2)

Merkur Arena, referee Stefan Ebner, 14,500 spectators