1:0 away win at the league leader!

Austria won 1-0 at Sturm Graz thanks to an early goal by Andreas Gruber. Christian Früchtl saved a penalty from Manprit Sarkaria. The Violets remained without conceding a goal for the fifth game in a row and inflicted the first defeat of the season on the league leaders.

Michael Wimmer had to do without Dominik Fitz due to illness, Manfred Fischer took his place. Otherwise, the starting eleven remained unchanged. Lucas Galvão is still missing, Muharem Husković was slightly injured but not in the squad.

Sturm Graz had a tough European Cup evening against Atalanta Bergamo on Thursday in their legs, coach Chris Ilzer changed his team in four positions: On the flanks, starting debutant Max Johnston as well as David Schnegg started. In midfield, Dimitri Lavalée and Tomi Horvat moved into the first eleven.

Gruber with goal number 8, Früchtl with penalty-safe number 2

As expected, the league leaders from Graz were slightly superior at the beginning, but no chances worth mentioning were created. Austria stood well defensively and took the lead with the first shot by Andreas Gruber in the 14th minute, Manfred Fischer provided the assist. Sturm Graz answered with a great shot by Manprit Sarkaria, but luckily it hit the bar (16th).

Referee Alan Kijas had to be treated after a "foul" by Gregory Wüthrich, but could continue. In the 32nd minute, Marvin Martins had to resort to a foul against Sarkaria in the penalty area, and Christian Früchtl made a great save against Sarkaria from the penalty kick that was due.

Shortly afterwards, Früchtl was also able to keep the score level when Seedy Jatta and Alexander Prass had attempts on the goal (36th, 41st). The Veilchen had opportunities on the counter-attack, but the last pass was not successful. A last shot by Aleksandar Jukić went over the goal and the game went into the break with a narrow Violets lead.

Austria remained strong defensively

Both teams came out of the dressing rooms unchanged. Sturm Graz had the first chance, Jatta shot just past the goal (52.). After an hour Matan Baltaxa and James Holland came on for Manuel Polster and Reinhold Ranftl. Marvin Potzmann and Baltaxa played on the flanks, Holland in the centre of midfield. Shortly afterwards Potzmann had to leave the field, the midfielder was replaced by Hakim Guenouche.

The Veilchen had a free-kick near the corner, Jukić brought the ball dangerously in front of goal, Kjell Scherpen had some trouble. Fischer's follow-up shot was blocked (67th). Wimmer made a double substitution in the 75th minute: Matthias Braunöder and Romeo Vučić came on for Jukić and Gruber. Vučić had the chance to decide the game after Braunöder's Stangl pass, but missed the ball by a hair's breadth (79th). Fischer and Asllani had another chance after a long pass from Braunöder, but failed to score against the Graz backline (84.).

There was little to see of Sturm Graz offensively in the second half, Guenouche was unlucky with a good shot in the 93rd minute. The Veilchen managed to keep their lead and won 1:0 against the league leader away from home, which was not undeserved.