Ammar Helac
90 Minutes
The actual number two kept a clean sheet in his first European Cup match.
However, there wasn't much for Khudyakov's replacement to save. In the first half, he came out of his goal well once; although the clearance went to an opponent, Marseille didn't create any danger from it.
He truly had to intervene for the first time in the 70th minute after a long-range shot and was subsequently hardly tested.
Arjan Malic
90 Minutes, Yellow Card
A really strong performance from the Bosnian. Extremely robust in duels, whether in tackles or slide tackles – like just before halftime against former Bremen player Garcia.
Even after the substitution of Marseille's actual star player Paixao (35 million market value), he didn't falter, for example, resolutely defending a one-on-one situation against the Brazilian after about an hour.
Joshua Quarshie
90 Minutes
Made no real mistakes. Only with Abdallah's shot off the post (40th minute) did he remain too passive.
However, he made a strong block on Gouri after an Abdallah cross, preventing the Algerian from getting a header. He completed 83 percent of his passes and won three out of four aerial duels.
Paul Koller
90 Minutes
Paul Koller – a monster in the air. The left central defender won all six of his aerial duels. In conjunction with Quarshie, Malic, Balbo, and Hödl, the 24-year-old allowed the actual favorites hardly any chances.
Luis Balbo
90 Minutes
Still slipped into the starting XI just before the match began because Heil felt something in his muscle during warm-up.
However, the short notice of his deployment was not noticeable at all. From the first minute, the Venezuelan was fierce and really strong in duels.
As the game progressed, he also got better and better offensively, certainly creating danger with good forward runs down his left flank.
Jacob-Peter Hödl
Until the 87th Minute
Had to constantly drop back to form a back five in the first half but worked well defensively.
The youngster missed one of Graz's best chances after 31 minutes, even if the pass to the far post wasn't super easy to take.
After the break, he was a clear wing-back on the right. Hödl was industrious and diligent until his late substitution, but also a bit unlucky with the ball.
Jan-Gorenc Stankovic
90 Minutes
The personification of order in Graz's game.
The captain exuded composure on the ball, repeatedly intercepted passes, won duels, and frustrated opponents. He managed once again to avoid a yellow card, even though he committed several fouls.
Luca Weinhandl
Until the 90th Minute, Assist, Yellow Card
His assist for the 1-0 goal serves as a prime example of Sturm's style of play. Against Kamissoko, the 17-year-old wins the ball 30 meters from goal. He then immediately finds the eventual goalscorer Diakité in behind the defense.
Also repeatedly showed good attacking actions otherwise (long-range shot, shot assist for Matoshi) as well as in the attacking press. Together with Seidl, he created the most chances in the game and also had the most ball recoveries (12) of all players.
Furthermore, the ease and composure with which the teenager frees himself from tight spaces remain simply extraordinary.
Valmir Matoshi
90 Minutes
Present from the start. For example, after just six minutes, he powered through and pressed hard. He blasted the more dangerous of his two shots on goal wide after 34 minutes.
Simon Seidl
90 Minutes
Started as a second striker alongside Diakité until halftime. Initially stood out due to his strong attacking press.
He was directly involved in two of Sturm's three big chances in the first half: After an excellent pass to Hödl – past two opponents – his teammate, however, didn't connect with the ball ideally. Seidl's own chance in the 38th minute was even bigger. After a horrendous misplaced pass by a Marseille player, his chip only hit the crossbar. Without this action, he wouldn't have missed out on a top grade.
In the second half, Seidl was Sturm's most impactful offensive player, creating three chances, just like Weinhandl.
Oumar Diakité, Goal, Yellow Card
Until the 45th Minute
He scores and scores and scores. Diakité scored his seventh goal in his seventh game for Sturm against Marseille. After winning the ball and an assist from Weinhandl, he remained absolutely composed before the opening goal in the 13th minute.
He also showed strong and intense play when not in possession. As usual, he exuded a strong presence. For the yellow card after half an hour, he could have acted a bit more cleverly.
Belmin Beganovic
From the 46th Minute
Repeatedly showcased his high speed and thus got two good opportunities. On the first attempt, he was denied by the keeper, while on the second, he shot wide. Nevertheless, he was an enlivening element in Ingolitsch's team's play.
Albert Vallci
From the 87th Minute
Played too short a time for a rating.
Julian Halwachs
From the 90th Minute
Played too short a time for a rating.
