Sturm Graz suffered a 3-0 away defeat to Red Bull Salzburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday. The loss in the seventh round keeps the Graz side in fourth place in the table with 11 points.
The Match
A goalless first half saw both teams miss opportunities. Sturm Graz emerged with 45 percent possession and eight corners, showing some promise. The turning point came in the 71st minute when Nikolas Veratschnig scored for Salzburg. Kevin Boma made it 2-0 just five minutes later. In the same minute, Sturm defender Jürgen Heil received a second yellow card for dissent and was sent off. Aboubacar Sidiki Camara completed the scoring in the 83rd minute for 3-0. Sturm manager Frank Ingolitsch made several attacking substitutions, but the team managed only two of their 14 shots on target.
The Aftermath
The third defeat in the last five matches means Sturm Graz now sit seven points behind league leaders Rapid Vienna. The team must find form before the next matchday. The next fixture is on 10 October away to Austria Vienna, who currently sit ninth. Sturm have scored eight goals and conceded six this season.
Lineups
Sturm Graz started with Khudyakov in goal, a back four of Malić, Quarshie, Koller and Heil, and a midfield of Gorenc Stankovič, Weinhandl, Hödl, Seidl and Matoshi behind striker Kayombo. In the second half, Diakité, Rozga Kucharczyk, Kiteishvili, Petrović and Mamageishvili came on. Paul Koller also received a yellow card in the 79th minute.
Manager Frank Ingolitsch confirmed the analysis after the 3-0 loss in Salzburg. "We were not in the game after the red card," he said. Sturm have now conceded nine goals in seven games. The next match is on October 10th away to Austria Vienna.
The club confirmed the details of the goals. Nikolas Veratschnig scored in the 71st minute from an assist by Bartosz Mazurek. Kevin Boma's goal for 2:0 in the 76th minute was set up by Dominik Schmid. Aboubacar Sidiki Camara completed the scoring in the 83rd minute from a pass by Sota Kitano. Sturm have now conceded nine goals in seven games.
