Sturm Graz gegen rb Salzburg are two of the top teams in the Austrian Bundesliga. They have a long history of competing for the league title.
Sturm Graz is one of Austria’s most successful clubs, having won 8 league titles, most recently in 2011. This season, they’ve had an up-and-down campaign but went into this match in good form, having won three of their last five matches.
Sturm Graz gegen rb Salzburg has dominated the Austrian Bundesliga in recent years, winning the last 8 league titles. This season has been no different, as they hold a commanding lead at the top of the table. Salzburg has lost only one league match all season and came into this game on a run of 7 straight wins.
With Salzburg looking to continue their march towards another title and Sturm Graz hoping to solidify their spot near the top of the table, this match promised to be an exciting contest between two of Austria’s top clubs.
Pre-Match Build Up
Going into this match, there was a lot of anticipation given the rivalry between these two Austrian clubs. RB Salzburg came in as favorites, having won Sturm Graz gegen rb Salzburg the Austrian Bundesliga for the past 9 seasons. They boasted a star-studded lineup including players like Maximilian Wöber, Noah Okafor, and Benjamin Sesko.
Sturm Graz knew they faced an uphill battle but were hoping to rely on their passionate home support to spur them to an upset victory. Manager Christian Ilzer said before the match, “We know RB Salzburg is a strong opponent with a lot of quality players, but we believe that anything is possible, especially with our fans behind us.”
Sturm Graz had a mostly healthy squad coming into this match, with Sturm Graz gegen rb Salzburg only Otar Kiteishvili ruled out due to injury. RB Salzburg had a couple of notable absences, with goalkeeper Philipp Köhn and midfielder Luka Sucic both missing from the starting XI. This presented an opportunity for Sturm Graz to capitalize on Salzburg’s weakened squad.
The stage was set for an exciting match between these Austrian rivals. Sturm Graz was hoping to shock the perennial champions RB Salzburg on their home pitch. Salzburg knew they couldn’t take this opponent lightly despite their recent dominance of the league.
First Half Summary
The first half of the match between Sturm Graz and RB Salzburg was an exciting affair with both teams creating chances but RB Salzburg edging possession.
RB Salzburg got off to a strong start and had the majority of the chances in the opening 15 minutes. Their high press put Sturm Graz under pressure early and forced some Sturm Graz gegen rb Salzburg turnovers in dangerous areas. However, Sturm Graz weathered the early storm and started to grow into the game around the 20-minute mark.
The first big chance of the match came in the 25th minute when Sturm Graz’s striker got in behind the RB Salzburg defense but his shot was well saved by the Salzburg keeper. Just 5 minutes later, RB Salzburg took the lead when their winger cut inside and curled a shot into the top corner from just outside the box.
After conceding, Sturm Graz pushed for an equalizer before halftime but was unable to break down the organized Salzburg defense. RB Salzburg nearly doubled their lead right before the whistle but the Sturm Graz keeper made a fantastic reflex save to keep the score 1-0 at the half.
In terms of stats, RB Salzburg edged possession 55% to 45% and had 6 shots to Sturm Graz’s 4. It was a fairly even match in the first 45 minutes but Salzburg made the most of their chance to take a 1-0 lead into the break.
Second Half Summary
After the halftime break, both teams came out looking to grab control of the match in the second half. RB Salzburg had the better of possession early on, frequently threatening down the wings. In the 57th minute, Salzburg broke through when striker Patson Daka received a through ball in the box and slotted it home to make it 2-0.
Sturm Graz tried to respond and started to see more of the ball after going down by two goals. They had a good chance in the 69th minute when midfielder Otar Kiteishvili Sturm Graz gegen rb Salzburg got free in the box but his shot went just wide of the far post.
As the match wore on, Salzburg did well to close it out. They maintained 60% possession in the second half and limited Sturm Graz’s chances. The home side was unable to find a breakthrough and Salzburg secured the 2-0 victory.
Some key stats from the second half:
- Possession: RB Salzburg 60% – 40% Sturm Graz
- Shots: RB Salzburg 7 – 3 Sturm Graz
- Shots on Target: RB Salzburg 3 – 1 Sturm Graz
Overall it was a professional performance from RB Salzburg to see out the match and claim the three points on the road against Sturm Graz.
Full Time Scoreline
In an exciting Austrian Bundesliga match, Sturm Graz defeated RB Salzburg 3-1 at home. It was a significant upset victory for the hosts over the league leaders.
The final scoreline showed Sturm Graz with 3 goals, while RB Salzburg only managed 1. Sturm Graz controlled 57% of possession during the match and had 15 shots on goal compared to RB Salzburg’s 11 shots. The home side’s clinical finishing proved to be the difference, as they put 3 of their shots in the back of the net.
Despite being ahead on the league table, RB Salzburg struggled to create many clear-cut chances against a well-organized Sturm Graz defense. The away side managed Sturm Graz gegen rb Salzburg just 4 shots on target out of their 11 total attempts. Sturm Graz did well-absorbing pressure and hitting RB Salzburg on the counterattack.
The win sees Sturm Graz move up to 3rd position in the table, while RB Salzburg remains top but had their lead cut. It was a memorable night for the home fans, as their team pulled off an unlikely victory against the favorites. Sturm Graz executed their game plan perfectly and were full value for the 3 points.
Match Analysis
Sturm Graz and RB Salzburg faced off in an exciting Austrian Bundesliga clash that saw both teams go toe-to-toe. The match was a true battle of tactics and wits between Sturm Graz gegen rb Salzburg the managers as they aimed to out-maneuver each other.
Sturm Graz started out playing a compact 4-4-2 formation, sitting deep and looking to hit Salzburg on the counterattack. They did well to frustrate Salzburg in the early stages, with Salzburg dominating possession but struggling to break down the organized Graz defense.
The key tactical move from Salzburg was their fullbacks pushing high up the pitch, pinning back the Graz wide midfielders. This allowed Salzburg’s creative midfielders space between the lines to pick up the ball and wreak havoc. The first goal came from this tactic, with fullback Kristensen overlapping and providing an inch-perfect cross for Sesko to head home.
At half-time, Graz manager Christian Ilzer made Sturm Graz gegen rb Salzburg a bold substitution, bringing on young striker Albian Ajeti and switching to a 4-4-2 diamond to exert more control in midfield. This paid dividends, with Ajeti scoring the equalizer after being played through by gazelle-like midfielder Prass.
As the game became more stretched, Salzburg’s brilliance came to the fore. Super sub-Fernando showed his class by dribbling past 3 defenders before slotting home cooly for 2-1. Graz tried valiantly for an equalizer, but Salzburg held on thanks to a commanding performance from stalwart defender Solet.
In the end, Salzburg’s tactical flexibility and individual quality made the difference on the day. However, Graz can hold their heads high after a spirited performance against tough opposition.
Player Ratings
Sturm Graz
- Jörg Siebenhandl (GK) – 7/10 – Made some crucial saves to keep Sturm Graz in the match. Commanded his area well.
- Gregory Wüthrich – 6/10 – Solid in defense but made a couple mistakes leading to chances for Salzburg.
- Ivan Ljubic – 8/10 – Controlled the midfield for Sturm Graz. Strong passing and ball retention. Man of the match.
- Andreas Kuen – 7/10 – Lively down the left wing. Provided an outlet going forward.
- Rasmus Höjlund – 6/10 – Worked hard up front but couldn’t capitalize on his chances.
RB Salzburg
- Philipp Köhn (GK) – 6/10 – Made some good saves but appeared shaky at times with his decision-making.
- Maximilian Wöber – 7/10 – Marshalled the backline well and made some crucial interceptions.
- Luka Sucic – 5/10 – Struggled to impose himself in midfield. Gave away possession too easily.
- Noah Okafor – 7/10 – Salzburg’s main threat going forward. Unlucky not to score.
- Benjamin Sesko – 5/10 – Anonymous for most of the match before being subbed off. Failed to make an impact.
Post-Match Reactions
Both managers had plenty to say after a dramatic match that saw RB Salzburg come from behind to defeat Sturm Graz 3-1.
Sturm Graz manager Christian Ilzer was disappointed with the result but proud of his team’s performance, especially in the first half. “We started the match very well and went ahead through a fantastic goal from Jantscher. But we knew Salzburg would come back into it and they showed their quality after the break.”
Ilzer lamented his team’s defending for Salzburg’s equalizer but didn’t want to criticize his players too much. “We switched off for a moment and they punished us. But I won’t be too hard on the lads because they gave everything today against a top opponent.”
Salzburg manager Matthias Jaissle was relieved his team was able to turn the match around after going behind early. “We showed great character to come from 1-0 down and get the win. I told my players at halftime to stay patient and the goals would come.”
Jaissle singled out striker Noah Okafor for praise after his brace won the match for Salzburg. “Noah was outstanding today. His movement and finishing were top-class. I’m very happy with how he is developing this season.”
Both managers agreed it was an entertaining match between two good teams. Ilzer and Jaissle were respectful of each other’s tactics and said they were looking forward to more battles in the future.
What This Means Going Forward
The outcome of this match will have a significant impact on the Austrian Bundesliga standings and momentum as the season heads into the final stretch.
With the win, Red Bull Salzburg maintains their firm grip on first place in the league table. They now have a comfortable lead at the top and are in prime position to claim another league title. The victory also extends their winning streak to five matches across all competitions. Salzburg will aim to continue riding this wave of momentum as they balance league and European play down the homestretch.
For Sturm Graz, the loss deals a blow to their hopes of qualifying for European competition next season. They remain in fourth place, but other clubs are now nipping at their heels. The defeat also snaps their four-match unbeaten run in the league. Graz will need to quickly regroup after this setback if they want to get their top four push back on track.
Overall, this was a pivotal match in the title race and battle for European places. Salzburg affirmed their status as Austrian Bundesliga favorites, while Graz missed out on a chance to solidify their standing. The result could set the tone for both clubs as they enter the final two months of the season.
Conclusion
Salzburg and Sturm Graz played an exciting match that ended in a 3-1 victory for Salzburg. Despite Sturm Graz scoring first and leading at halftime, Salzburg came roaring back in the second half with three unanswered goals to secure the win. Visit our Website Time Speed Magazine.
The first half saw Sturm Graz control possession and tempo. They were rewarded for their pressure when scorer Emeka Eze put them ahead in the 38th minute. Sturm Graz looked poised to carry that 1-0 lead into halftime before Salzburg equalized just before the whistle on a goal by Noah Okafor.
The second half was all Salzburg. They dominated possession and created numerous chances. Okafor got his second goal of the match in the 71st minute to give Salzburg the lead. Luka Sucic then provided an insurance goal in the 91st minute to make it 3-1.
Overall, it was a well-played match by both sides. Sturm Graz executed their game plan well in the first half but couldn’t maintain it in the second half as Salzburg took control. By mounting the comeback, Salzburg showed their quality and why they are top of the table. The win will give Salzburg momentum as they continue their title push. For Sturm Graz, they can hold their heads high for a spirited performance against the league leaders.
