Ammar Helac
90 minutes
The nominal backup keeper didn't have a bad day in his second Europa League appearance, but couldn't keep a clean sheet.
More to blame than Helac himself was teammate Valmir Matoshi, whose undercooked backpass put his goalie in trouble. Left with no chance against Seslar in the one-on-one, Helac kept Sturm from falling further behind around the 37th minute with a double save following two long-range shots from Celje, proving his worth.
And even after that, the goalkeeper had to pick the ball out of his net again. No chance to save Verbic's absolute screamer for 1-2. Looked very unfortunate on Celje's third goal for 1-3.
Arjan Malic
74 minutes
Eager but inconspicuous. The role as a right center-back in a back three seems to suit the Bosnian. Replaced by Beganovic just under 15 minutes before the end.
Joshua Quarshie
90 minutes
An inconspicuous performance from the German U21 international. Had few problems dealing with Celje target man Kucys. Showed too little resistance for Celje's 1-3, looking rattled afterwards and occasionally sloppy with his passing.
Paul Koller
90 minutes
Provided the assist for Diakite's equalizer with a delicate cross. Solid defensively, leaving nothing to chance.
Luis Balbo
90 minutes
Looked lively and continuously bombed up and down the left flank as a wing-back. Unremarkable going forward and defensively, but error-free.
Jon Gorenc Stankovic
90 minutes
The captain acted as distributor in midfield against his countrymen. An average performance from the veteran.
Luca Weinhandl
90 minutes
Failed to get into the challenge with Verbic inside his own box shortly before halftime, leading to the 1-2. Strong on the ball, but unlike in many previous games, the 17-year-old was barely able to spark any moments of brilliance offensively.
Jürgen Heil
90 minutes
Worked hard and tried to initiate Sturm attacks by winning the ball high up the pitch. With limited success. Like most of his teammates, not an outstanding performance from the Austrian.
Valmir Matoshi
58 minutes
Deployed in midfield, his underpowered header back to the keeper as the last man resulted in Celje taking a 0-1 lead. Eager in attack, room for improvement defensively. Substituted for Hödl after just over an hour.
Simon Seidl
85 minutes
Started up front alongside Diakite. Stood out mainly as Sturm's set-piece taker. Celje keeper Leban parried a fine long-range effort from him in the first half. Whenever Sturm threatened, Seidl was almost always involved. Goalscoring, however, remains far from his specialty. Substituted for Mamageishvili shortly before the end.
Oumar Diakité, two goals
90 minutes
He just keeps scoring. Sturm's attacking lifeline scored his ninth goal in eleven games for Sturm against Celje. After a fine cross, the Ivorian kept his cool to slot home the 1-1 equalizer. The 2-3 was his tenth goal, but one that ultimately didn't matter.
Jacob Peter Hödl
Subbed on in 58th minute
Took over Valmir Matoshi's position after about an hour. Typically comfortable on the ball, Hödl was barely able to spark bright spots.
Belmin Beganovic
Subbed on in 74th minute
The Bosnian, who came on for Malic just over a quarter of an hour before the end, was unable to build on his impressive performance against WAC.
Gizo Mamageishvili
Subbed on in 85th minute
Made his comeback following an injury lay-off. Insufficient playing time for a rating.
