Against BW Linz

Red card for headbutt! Sturm trembles at the top

Sturm's Jeyland Mitchel was shown a red card in the final stages of the game.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm Graz moved up to second place in the Bundesliga on Sunday. The defending champions celebrated a hard-fought 1-0 home win against Blau-Weiß Linz thanks to a goal from Belmin Beganovic (35th minute/penalty), overtaking LASK by one point, who lost 1-5 to leaders Red Bull Salzburg. 

The Graz team was missing, among others, the injured creative force Otar Kiteishvili, but his Georgian compatriot Gizo Mamageishvili made his first appearance in Sturm's starting lineup – and caused a stir in the fourth minute. His side kick hit the crossbar.

However, it was the visitors who had the first chances. Sturm goalkeeper Matteo Bignetti was only able to parry a free kick from Simon Seidl from a relatively long distance onto the goalpost, and David Bumberger headed the resulting corner wide.

(Bild: GEPA)

Decision by VAR penalty
In the 13th minute, Seedy Jatta celebrated Sturm's supposed 1-0 lead, but the goal was disallowed because Jon Gorenc Stankovic had attacked Blau-Weiß goalkeeper Nico Mantl with his elbow beforehand. Before and after that, the 14,217 spectators saw an unspectacular game with no clear advantage for either team, and the decision was made by a VAR penalty. Mamageishvili was hit just inside the box by Mamadou Fofana, and after consulting the video referee, a penalty was awarded, which Beganovic converted confidently.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

  In the second half, Sturm initially gained the upper hand, but the second goal would not come. Ryan Fosso shot wide from the penalty area (48'), Jacob Hödl was denied by Mantl (60'), as was Paul Koller (76'). In the final stages, the Styrians pulled back further and further to protect their lead. They succeeded, even though Jeyland Mitchell was sent off in the 90th minute for a headbutt on David Riegler.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

The Linz team had no real chance to equalize and suffered another setback a week after their 2-1 home win against WAC. For Sturm, it was their third 1-0 win in their third home game this year, having previously beaten Brann Bergen and Ried.

SK Sturm Graz – FC Blau-Weiß Linz 1-0 (1-0)
Graz, Merkur Arena, 14,217, referee Sadikovski

Goal: 
1-0 (34') Beganovic (penalty)

Sturm: Bignetti – Vallci, Mitchell, Koller – Hödl (79. Karic), Fosso, Gorenc Stankovic, Malic – Beganovic (68. Malone), Jatta (68. Kayombo), Mamageishvili (68. Rozga/92. Aiwu)

Blau-Weiß: Mantl – Riegler, Marana, Moormann – Dahlqvist, Conde (70. Ronivaldo), Briedl, Bumberger – S. Seidl, Weissman, Fofana

Red card: Mitchell (90./assault)

Yellow cards: Hödl, Vallci, Fosso, Malic, Gorenc Stankovic and Dahlqvist, Riegler, Moormann