Styrians Disappoint
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A bitter Europa League defeat for SK Sturm Graz! Two weeks after Red Bull Salzburg could only manage a draw against Celje, the Styrians fared even worse. Fabio Ingolitsch’s team suffered a 2-3 home loss to the Slovenians.
Kronen Zeitung als bevorzugte Google-Quelle hinzufügen Instead of the home win they had hoped for in the fourth round of the group stage, the Styrians—still weakened by injuries—were defeated 2–3 (1–2) by the Slovenian champions on Thursday in front of 12,977 spectators. For Celje, which had been winless in the European Cup until then, this was another success against an Austrian club following their 2–2 draw with Salzburg.
The two teams, both currently fourth in their respective leagues, engaged in an open, back-and-forth battle amid a lively atmosphere in Graz-Liebenau. Svit Seslar (29th, 73rd) with a brace and Benjamin Verbic (45th) scored for the visitors. In the meantime, Oumar Diakite (40th) had equalized for the “Blackies,” who were aggressive in attack but inefficient. The Sturm striker’s goal (93rd) came too late. For the Graz team coached by Fabio Ingolitsch, which remains on four points, it was only their second home loss of the calendar year 2026.
Sturm Slightly Superior, Celje Efficient
The Styrians sought to put pressure on the Slovenians with high intensity, which they managed to do in the opening stages. The best of several chances was squandered by Diakite, who had returned to the starting lineup and missed the top corner with a header off a corner kick (12th minute). Moments later, there was a penalty scare in the visitors’ penalty area, but a Celje defender’s handball from close range went unpunished.
Sturm tested the goal with several long-range shots, but Celje also launched dangerous attacks. The Slovenians celebrated the opening goal after a completely botched header back by Valmir Matoshi; Seslar coolly converted the chance, finding himself one-on-one with Ammar Helac. In the 37th minute, the Sturm goalkeeper prevented the deficit from growing with two saves. Instead of 0–2, the score was 1–1—as Diakite got a somewhat fortunate touch on the ball in the penalty area and buried it in the top corner. Shortly before the halftime whistle, Helac was powerless to stop Verbic, who beat three Graz defenders and found the far corner.
Sturm’s Efforts Go Unrewarded
Two minutes after the break, Veton Tusha’s joy at the supposed 3–1 lead was short-lived; the goal was disallowed due to a foul. On the counterattack, Diakite missed the target from a promising position (49th minute). Led by the outstanding Luca Weinhandl (17), Ingolitsch’s team pressed for the equalizer, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. Celje, on the other hand, proved ruthless: Helac could only parry a shot briefly, and Seslar pounced to seal the victory.
In the closing stages, Gizo Mamageishvili made his comeback after a long injury layoff. The Georgian set up Diakite’s goal with a free kick from the edge of the penalty area shortly before the end of the match.
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