2:2 – Austria takes a point at Sturm Graz

Austria took the lead through a penalty by Marco Djuričin before the break. Sturm came out of the dressing room well and turned the game around within a few minutes with goals from Manprit Sarkaria and Kelvin Yeboah. The Violets did not give up and Marco Djuričin managed to equalize with his second goal in a spectacular game.

Manfred Schmid changed his starting eleven at one position and made a small change in the formation. Benedikt Pichler started in place of Alexander Grünwald as a second striker. In midfield, Schmid opted for a diamond formation for the first time. Manfred Fischer, Dominik Fitz and Vesel Demaku started in front of Eric Martel.

Sturm Graz won against NS Mura in the European Cup on Thursday, coach Christian Ilzer brought five fresh players in his starting lineup. Manprit Sarkaria started from the beginning for the first time, Lukas Jäger, Niklas Geyrhofer as well as Alexander Prass were new in the lineup in the back four. Andreas Kuen replaced Otar Kiteishvili in midfield.

The lead for the violets

A first chance by Benedikt Pichler was blocked by the Graz backline (1st), after 4 minutes Austria took the lead through a dream goal by Vesel Demaku. But after a four-minute review by the VAR as well as referee Sebastian Gishamer, the goal was disallowed due to an alleged foul. After a quarter of an hour, there was the next "on-field review" to admire in Graz's Merkur Arena: This time Gishamer ruled in favor of Austria. A foul by Andreas Kuen on Manfred Fischer was moved to the penalty area after review, and a penalty was awarded. Marco Djuričin converted safely into the lower left corner for a deserved lead (19th).

Sturm Graz had a chance to equalize after a corner kick, Benedikt Pichler cleared a finish by David Affengruber in front of the line (28th). Austria presented itself very biting and won the ball from the opponent again and again. This also opened up another chance for Djuričin, whose finish after Markus Suttner's cross was blocked by Prass (37th). Sturm became stronger towards the end of the first half, but Austria's defense held firm. Vesel Demaku missed the goal in five minutes of stoppage time after Benedikt Pichler's cross, and Austria went into the half-time break with the narrow lead.

Sturm turned the game around, Djuričin struck back

Shortly after the restart, SK Sturm equalized with Manprit Sarkaria's shot from 20 meters into the corner of the net, leaving Patrick Pentz without a chance (47th). A shot by Kelvin Yeboah was saved by our goalkeeper, but Pentz was again unable to defend against another shot (51st). The hosts had turned the game around after a few minutes in the second half.

Jakob Jantscher and Andreas Kuen shot over the goal (53rd, 56th), a shot by Marco Djuričin was held by Jörg Siebenhandl (60th). Noah Ohio came on for Benedikt Pichler after 66 minutes, and Austria equalized shortly after. A cross from Markus Suttner reached Marco Djuričin, who scored from long range to make it 2:2 - a magnificent goal (69th).

Shortly after, Djuričin had the third goal on his feet, but the ball went past the goal after Dominik Fitz had done the groundwork (71st). After that it was Sturm's turn again: a shot by Prass missed the goal, a finish by substitute Otar Kiteishvili was deflected to the corner by Eric Martel (72nd, 79th). David Affengruber twice put a header next to the goal (81st, 90th).

For the final phase Manfred Schmid brought on Matthias Braunöder and Muharem Husković for Dominik Fitz and Marco Djuričin. The score remained unchanged as Austria and Sturm drew 2-2.

SK Sturm Graz - FK Austria Wien 2-2 (0-1)

Sturm: Siebenhandl; Jäger (82. Gazibegović), Geyrhofer, Affengruber, Prass; Gorenc-Stankovič (82. Niangbo); Hierländer (75. Ljubic), Kuen (75. Wüthrich); Sarkaria; Yeboah, Jantscher (65. Kiteishvili)

Austria: Pentz; Teigl, Handl, Mühl, Suttner; Fischer, Martel, Fitz (84. Braunöder), Demaku; Pichler (67. Ohio), Djuričin (87. Husković)

Goals: Sarkaria (47.), Yeboah (51.); Djuričin (19., Elfmeter, 69.)

Yellos: Gorenc-Stankovič (55.), Kiteishvili (88.); Pichler (14.), Martel (20.), Handl (43.)

Merkur Arena, referee Sebastian Gishamer, 12.529 spectators