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SK Sturm Graz vs SK Rapid – LIVE from 19:30

Niklas Hedl handed out a big present in Graz. Sturm's Mika Miles Biereth thanked him with the golden goal!(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm Graz have taken the lead in the Bundesliga table, at least until Sunday. With a 1:0 home win against Rapid on Friday evening, the Styrians pulled three points clear of serial champions Salzburg for the time being. The victory was deserved given the course of the game, but Mika Biereth's "golden goal" was extremely curious after a serious mistake by Rapid goalkeeper Niklas Hedl.

In the first of three matches between the two teams within twelve days, Rapid failed to convert a decent defensive performance into points. The fourth-placed Viennese side failed to close the gap on LASK, who are two points ahead. The two Cup finalists will meet again in Vienna on Wednesday (20:30) to kick off the second half of the season in the Champions Group.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm's line-up had only one small surprise to offer. Biereth was given a new strike partner in Seedy Jatta instead of William Böving. According to Christian Ilzer, the Norwegian should "drill the Rapid defense even more" in his first starting eleven appearance in 2024.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Personnel worries
Rapid coach Robert Klauß was forced to improvise. With Leopold Querfeld and Terence Kongolo, the regular central defense was missing. The substitutes were Maximilian Hofmann and Neraysho Kasanwirjo. The normally regular midfielder Nikolaus Sattlberger was serving a suspension and was replaced by Roman Kerschbaum. Marco Grüll replaced the injured Guido Burgstaller in the front line. Ismail Seydi made his starting debut on the right wing.

Christian Ilzer(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The 15,205 spectators in the sold-out Oval were treated to a first half with little action in the penalty area. Sturm took control of the game, but it took a set piece to create the first chance. Gregory Wüthrich failed to hit the ball properly from a promising position (15'). Rapid retreated deep at times in front of ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick. The increasingly dominant Graz side were unable to break down the compact center from play.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm more dangerous
A misplaced pass by Rapids' Kasanwirjo in the build-up gave Sturm their best chance in the first half. Jatta failed to beat goalkeeper Niklas Hedl (34'). The rare Rapid counter-attacks often lacked the final pass. Christoph Lang had the best chance for Vienna in the first half. The ex-Grazer hesitated too long when finishing inside the penalty area and was blocked (42').

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

After the restart, Graz quickly created more chances. A shot from Otar Kiteishvili grazed the outer bar (52'). Jatta also missed his second "sitter". The 21-year-old's shot from a corner was completely unsuccessful as he appeared completely free on the edge of the area (54'). At the other end, Viteszlav Jaros picked up a "roller" from Marco Grüll in the Graz goal (56'). Shortly afterwards, the Sturm goalkeeper was almost taken by surprise by Seydi with a shot into the far corner (63').

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm then tried to make use of their longer bench by making a few changes. Kiteishvili played through Biereth, but was unable to beat Hedl (66'). In the 79th minute, the young ÖFB team aspirant ruined his hitherto flawless performance by again missing a steep pass that had gone far too wide. Biereth ran with the ball into the empty goal. The visitors only really mounted a final offensive in the final minutes. Fally Mayulu missed the 1:1 with a shot that was too central for Jaros (91').

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

SK Sturm Graz - SK Rapid 1:0 (0:0)
Graz, Merkur-Arena, 
15.205 (sold out), SR Hameter

Goal: 1:0 (79.) Biereth

Sturm: Jaros - Gazibegovic (74. Johnston), Affengruber, Wüthrich, Lavalee - Gorenc Stankovic - Horvat (62. Böving), Kiteishvili (84. Schnegg), Prass - Biereth, Jatta (62. Camara)

Rapid: Hedl - Oswald, Kasanwirjo, Hofmann, Auer - Grgic, Kerschbaum (89. Kaygin) - Seydi (74. Jansson), Seidl, Lang (74. Mayulu) - Grüll

Yellow cards: Affengruber or Kerschbaum, Grüll