No Chance Against Fener
LIVE: Can Sturm come back from a 0-2 deficit against Fenerbahçe?
Runner-up Sturm put up a valiant fight in the European Cup showdown against Fenerbahce but had to bury their Champions League dream. After losing the first leg 0–2 in Istanbul, the Graz team held their own for much of the second leg of the third qualifying round against the favored Turkish runners-up, but ultimately fell 0–1 (0–0). Sturm was eliminated with an aggregate score of 0–3 but is guaranteed to continue in the group stage of the Europa League.
Kronen Zeitung als bevorzugte Google-Quelle hinzufügen Goal-scorer Talisca put Fenerbahçe on the path to victory with a converted penalty kick (66th minute) in front of 15,599 spectators. The financially strong, storied Turkish club thus remained unbeaten in its tenth match against an Austrian team and can continue to hope for its first “Champions League” appearance since 2008–09 in the playoffs. Coach Fabio Ingolitsch’s “Blackies” lacked, above all, cutting edge in front of the opponent’s goal in the second leg.
Ingolitsch Shuffled the Lineup
Before the match, Ingolitsch had announced his intention to take more risks. With that in mind, he made changes in three positions: Arjan Malic and summer signing Petar Petrovic started in defense, while Axel Kayombo was tasked with using his speed up front. In the starting forward line, captain Jon Gorenc Stankovic was the only player older than 23; on the Turkish team—a squad worth millions—all players were at least 24 years old. According to media reports, star striker Romelu Lukaku (33) is also set to make a move to Istanbul.
Unlike in the first leg, the Graz team attacked earlier and were more aggressive on offense. However, the Turks came closer to scoring the all-important opening goal: Talisca forced Daniil Chudjakov into a save with a low shot (11th minute). In front of an atmospheric, peaceful, and nearly sold-out crowd, Fenerbahçe kept possession with increasing confidence and created another big chance in the 24th minute. Kerem Aktürkoglu found himself one-on-one with Chudjakow, but the Sturm goalkeeper kept his team in the game with yet another brilliant save.
Many half-chances for Sturm
In the minutes that followed, Ingolitsch’s team had significantly more possession, which led to numerous half-chances. Headers by Seedy Jatta (28th) and Gorenc Stankovic (38th), as well as long-range shots by Emran Soglo (30th) and Kayombo (34th), posed no real threat to Fener goalkeeper Mert Günok. The Black-and-Whites wanted to set the stadium ablaze with the opening goal—no matter when it came. After a scoreless first half, the Graz team came close twice. First, a cross from Jacob Peter Hödl was cleared at the last moment by Archie Brown (48'), then Malic sent a header just wide of the far post (50').
In a closely contested match, however, Sturm lacked the necessary precision in front of goal. At the other end, Talisca shot over the bar (59th minute). Shortly afterward, the Brazilian drew a penalty when Petrovic was too late to challenge the powerful attacker. Talisca stepped up himself and coolly converted the penalty. In the 76th minute, Belmin Beganovic had the best chance to equalize, but the “super sub” was denied by Günok. In the closing stages, Chudjakov once again came out on top in his duel against Aktürkoglu (87th).
SK Sturm Graz – Fenerbahçe 0–1 (0–0)
Graz, Graz-Liebenau Stadium, 15,599 spectators, Referee Hernandez (ESP). First leg: 0–2 – Sturm eliminated with an aggregate score of 0–3 and secured a spot in the Europa League group stage; Fenerbahçe advances to the Champions League playoffs.
Goal: 0 –1 (66') Talisca (penalty kick)
Sturm: Chudjakov – Malic (61. Heil), Mitchell, Petrovic (79. Koller), Soglo – S. Seidl, Weinhandl, Gorenc Stankovic (70' Fosso), Hödl – Kayombo (61' Weiper), Jatta (61' Beganovic)
Fenerbahçe: Mert Günok – Nelson Semedo (62. Mert Müldür), Skriniar, Ake, Brown – Guendouzi, Kante (73. Ismail Yüksek) – Greenwood (62' Oguz Aydin), Asensio (62' Fred), Kerem Aktürkoglu – Talisca (77' Muriqi)
Yellow cards: Mitchell , Ingolitsch (coach), Fosso; Nelson Semedo, Brown, Kerem Aktürkoglu
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