Bitter European evening

Sarkaria injured! Big worries at Sturm Graz

Manprit Sarkaria was in a lot of pain(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

Manprit Sarkaria was injured in the first half of the first leg of Sturm Graz's Conference League round of 16 tie against OSC Lille. The attacking player had to be taken to hospital. His season has come to a premature end.

Soccer runners-up Sturm Graz will have to do without attacker Manprit Sarkaria for the rest of the season. The ÖFB team player suffered a fracture to his lateral malleolus on Thursday evening in the first leg of the Europa Conference League round of 16 against OSC Lille (0:3) in Graz and will require surgery. This was confirmed by Sturm's sporting director Andreas Schicker after the match. Sarkaria's participation in the European Championships in Germany this summer is therefore also very unlikely.

Christian Ilzer(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

"It hurts very, very much because we will be missing a difference-maker in attack over the next few weeks," said Schicker. "We have to accept it, he will get the full support." Sarkaria was injured in the 37th minute during a shot on goal after opponent Angel Gomes slipped to his feet. However, the contact probably only occurred after the shot had been taken, which is why there was no penalty for the incident. Sturm coach Christian Ilzer said the 27-year-old was definitely out for the season.

Unfortunate on several occasions
The incident could hardly have been more bitter for Sturm: Graz pushed for an equalizer after Jonathan David had made it 0:1. A promising chance in the 37th minute, the home side's best scene of the first half.

Tomi Horvat played in Otar Kiteishvili, who finished the one-two with his heel. Horvat played the ball into the back, where Manprit Sarkaria was waiting for his chance. The striker placed his shot against the goalkeeper's direction of travel, but he rushed up and prevented the equalizer with his leg.

Further investigations
But things got even worse for Sturm. Sarkaria had injured his ankle during the action. A penalty was briefly discussed - but it was probably just an extremely unfortunate collision. The 27-year-old was unable to continue.

He was carried off the pitch with the help of the medical staff. His left ankle was already heavily bandaged. Sturm are very worried. The striker was taken to hospital for further examinations. 

There the bitter diagnosis: Sarkaria suffered a fracture of the outer ankle during the action and will require surgery. According to Ilzer, the injury happened without the opponent being involved. According to the club, this means his season is over.