NEWS
Diakite Again! Sturm Secures Nervy Win Against Marseille
The Graz side had chances for two or three goals in the first half. In the end, it got tight again. But the Ingolitsch-eleven held on for their first Europa League three points of the season.
SK Sturm Graz celebrates their first win of the season on the third matchday of the UEFA Europa League against Olympique Marseille. Oumar Diakite is once again the scorer of the winning goal. After a strong first half, the Graz side had to endure another nervous period, but ultimately sealed the victory.
Diakite Scores Again
The Graz side were the better team from the start and deservedly took the lead after just a few minutes. Kamissoko took too much time playing out from the back and lost the challenge against Weinhandl.
The 17-year-old quickly initiated the play and passed to Diakite. And the Ivorian is in fine form: He calmly slotted the ball into the net, scoring his 7th goal in his 5th game to give Sturm a 1-0 lead against OM (13').
Sturm Creates More Chances
Sturm continued to be the better team. Hödl had the best chance to extend the lead in the 31st minute: a good run by Seidl down the left wing. The through ball with his left foot was also good, but the onrushing Hödl could only connect with the ball low while sliding. OM goalkeeper de Lange was able to save this chance.
Eight minutes later, the Graz side had another good chance. Another misplaced pass by the French in their own half, Seidl appeared alone in front of de Lange and chipped the goalkeeper perfectly – too perfectly, as the ball hit the crossbar instead of going into the net (39').
Just a short time later, the Styrians were lucky: Abdallah, breaking through on the right, didn't connect with the ball perfectly, and the post cleared it for Sturm (40').
Thus, Sturm went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
OM Puts Pressure on Sturm
At halftime, the Southern French made a double substitution, while Oumar Diakite remained in the changing room for Sturm. It was also Beganovic, who replaced him, who had the first chance of the second half: a quick transition play by the Graz side into attack, where Beganovic attempted a low shot into the far corner but was thwarted by de Lange (55').
Subsequently, Marseille was the better team and at times pushed Sturm deep into their own half. The Graz side rarely managed to launch counter-attacks.
However, Sturm withstood the pressure and celebrated an important first victory of the Europa League season.
