Styrians facing the end

Sturm Graz v OSC Lille – LIVE from 9pm

Sturm are already facing elimination against Lille.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm Graz experienced a bitter evening on Thursday in the first leg of the round of 16 in the Conference League. The team from Graz were beaten 3-0 by OSC Lille. Jonathan David became the "Sturm scare" with two goals. Manprit Sarkaria was also injured. A longer absence is imminent. 

Sturm Graz's run of success in the European Cup is coming to an end. Austria's soccer runners-up and last representative in international business were clearly beaten 3-0 (0-1) at home by OSC Lille in the first leg of the Europa Conference League round of 16 on Thursday. The goals for France's fourth-placed team, who were superior in Graz, came from Jonathan David (29', 51') and Edon Zhegrova (71'). The second leg will take place next Thursday in northern France.

Sturm had to make do without midfielder Alexander Prass. The ÖFB team player was absent due to muscular problems in his hip. Coach Christian Ilzer spoke of a "serious absence" and opted for a defensive 4-2-3-1 concept. Lille were also without their best players, but were able to rely on the services of top star David in the center of attack.

Jaros with strong actions
In front of 13,825 spectators at their sold-out home ground, Graz were merely a passenger in the early stages. Lille had significantly more possession, Sturm with six defensive players hardly had any access to the game. It was only after a quarter of an hour that the home side made their first appearance in the attacking third through Mika Biereth, but Jon Gorenc Stankovic's header from a corner missed the target (21').

Christian Ilzer's players are motivated.(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

At the other end, David knocked in the first goal with a volley (20'). The Canadian was given the assist for the opening goal by 16-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi. A ball into the deep to Bouaddi outmuscled the entire forward defence, and David safely converted the cross from the youngest player in European Cup history since the autumn. A header from Hakon Haraldsson from close range was defused by Sturm goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros (34').

Sarkaria with an injury
Three minutes later, his opposite number Lucas Chevalier did the same, saving the best chance for Sturm with his foot against Manprit Sarkaria, who had been brought on by Tomi Horvat. Sarkaria was hit by Angel Gomes as he finished, but the video assistant did not see a clear foul. Sarkaria was replaced by William Böving before the break and was taken to hospital with a suspected serious ankle injury.

Manprit Sarkaria(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

After the break, Jaros made another brilliant save from David (49'). Two minutes later, the Liverpool loanee also turned a Haraldsson hammer onto the crossbar, but David converted the rebound to make it 2-0. The second-highest scorer in French Ligue 1 now has 19 competitive goals this season. David's third goal was prevented by Jaros, who was on hand again after a serious mistake by David Affengruber (57').

First defeat of the year
Sturm showed signs of life in attack with a solo effort from Otar Kiteishvili, but the Georgian's shot hit the crossbar (61'). At 0:3, Jaros, who had been extremely strong until then, was surprised by a cross from Zhegrova after a corner, which sank into the goal behind him. Chevalier was on hand to save a shot from Szymon Wlodarczyk (79'), and a final attempt from substitute Stefan Hierländer was off target (92'). The home fans thanked the effort with a standing ovation.

The Styrians conceded their first defeat in their eighth competitive match of 2024. Lille, on the other hand, remain unbeaten in the Conference League this season. Sturm's dream of reaching their first European Cup quarter-final since the 1984 UEFA Cup is now a distant memory. This is the first time since their sensational run in the 2000/01 Champions League under Ivica Osim that Sturm have reached the last 16 in an international competition.