Champions League Qualifiers
LIVE: Can Sturm Graz pull off an upset against Fenerbahçe?
Fenerbahce proved to be too strong for runner-up Sturm Graz in the first leg of the third Champions League qualifying round. On Wednesday, the Styrian side suffered a 0-2 (0-2) defeat on the road against the dominant Turkish runner-up in Istanbul in front of more than 40,000 fanatical fans.
Kronen Zeitung als bevorzugte Google-Quelle hinzufügen To advance to the playoff for the “Champions League,” Fabio Ingolitsch’s team will need to mount a comeback in the second leg on Tuesday (8:30 p.m.) in Graz.
Talisca (10th minute) and new signing Mason Greenwood (45th minute)—who moved from Marseille to the Bosphorus this summer for 39 million euros—scored for the overwhelming favorites. Under new coach Ismail Kartal, Fenerbahçe thus remained unbeaten in its ninth match against an Austrian club. For the “Blackies,” who can at least count on competing in the Europa League group stage, it was their first loss after 17 consecutive competitive matches without a defeat.
Boos When Sturm Had Possession
Ingolitsch fielded the same starting lineup that had eliminated Heart of Midlothian in the second qualifying round with an aggregate score of 6–0. Midfield playmaker Otar Kiteishvili was still sidelined with calf problems. On the other side, the Styrians faced a star-studded lineup that dominated the game from the very first second at Sükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. The Graz team felt the intensity of the “cauldron” right from the kickoff, when a deafening chorus of boos erupted.
Ingolitsch’s team effectively shut down the spaces within a deep defensive block until the tenth minute. Then striker Talisca, surrounded by half a dozen Sturm players, fired a swiveling shot from the edge of the penalty area powerfully into the far corner. The plan to keep the score at zero for as long as possible was not successful. The 85 percent possession in the first quarter-hour by Nathan Ake, N’Golo Kanté, Marco Asensio, Matteo Guendouzi, and company spoke volumes.
No Penalty for Sturm
However, the historic Turkish club didn’t create many chances. Sturm, too, rarely managed to mount counterattacks. In the 32nd minute, Seedy Jatta narrowly missed a cross and, shortly afterward, went down in the penalty area following a challenge with Milan Skriniar that looked like it might have warranted a penalty. The refereeing team led by English referee Chris Kavanagh let play continue. Shortly before halftime, Greenwood extended the lead with a shot from 20 meters into the near corner following a quickly taken corner kick. After the halftime whistle, Sturm defender Jeyland Mitchell and Talisca exchanged jerseys while still on the field.
In the second half, Jatta dribbled his way into a good shooting position but was unable to get a shot off (53'). At the other end, Sturm goalkeeper Daniil Chudjakov was there to stop a shot by Greenwood (59'), and a few seconds later against Kerem Aktürkoglu (60'). With two more saves against Talisca (67', 68'), Chudjakow kept his team in the game.
Then, in their third competitive match of the season, Fenerbahçe shifted down a gear, allowing Sturm to make more of an impact on offense. “Joker” Nelson Weiper had the best chance to pull one back with a bicycle kick (70th min.). In stoppage time, Jon Gorenc Stankovic threw his body in front of the shot to make the save (91st min.).
Fenerbahce – SK Sturm Graz 2–0 (2–0)
Istanbul, Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Referee Kavanagh (ENG)
The second leg will be played on Tuesday (8:30 p.m.) in Graz.
Goals: 1–0 (10') Talisca, 2–0 (45') Greenwood
Fenerbahçe: Mert Günok – Nelson Semedo (85. Müldür), Skriniar, Ake, Oosterwolde (30. Brown) – Kante – Asensio (70' Kahveci), Guendouzi – Greenwood (69' Fred), Talisca, Kerem Aktürkoglu (85' Aydin)
Sturm: Chudjakov – Heil, Vallci, Mitchell, Soglo – S. Seidl (64' Mamageishvili), Weinhandl (64' Fosso), Gorenc Stankovic, Hödl (87' Beganovic) – Wlodarczyk (46' Kayombo), Jatta (64' Weiper)
Yellow cards: none / Gorenc Stankovic, Heil, Kayombo
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