Sturm Graz defies favourite Rennes with a hard‑earned point

In the packed Graz‑Liebenau stadium, which held 13,109 spectators, the Austrian vice‑champions SK Sturm Graz secured a point on Wednesday evening against the French Ligue 1 third‑placed Stade Rennes in the opening of the UEFA Europa League group stage. Both teams showed high intensity from the start, while the home crowd loudly supported.

Line‑up and tactical instructions

Coach Fabio Ingolitsch set up a three‑ or five‑man defensive line that troubled Rennes from the outset. According to club statements, Otar Kiteischwili was not called up to the squad for workload management reasons, while the injured Jon Gorenc Stankovic initially took a place on the bench. Sturm Graz's starting eleven featured Danijl Chudjakow in goal, a back line with Vallci, Quarshi and Koller, and a midfield of Heil, Weinhandl and Matoshi, supported by Balbo in attack.

Early chances and missed goals

In the eighth minute Rennes celebrated what seemed to be the lead after a corner, but Adrien Thomasson's goal was disallowed for handball. Five minutes later the previous season’s Ligue 1 top scorer Adrien Lepaul struck from a good position over the bar, after which Chudjakow, half an hour in, denied the striker with a foot block. Both sides created further chances, but Sturm’s defence held firm.

Tension until the end

Before the break Sturm Graz produced the best spell. After a free‑kick cross from Jürgen Heil and a headed assist from Joshua Quarshi, Paul Koller headed the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out due to a prior offside position by Jacob Hödl, who was blocking an opponent (34th minute). Shortly after, Luca Weinhandl tried a harmless finish (38th minute) without success.

After the second‑half kickoff Sturm had the first chance: Jacob Hödl struck, forcing Rennes goalkeeper Brice Samba to stretch (57th minute). Rennes pressed again, but Chudjakow saved both Lepaul’s shot and Ludovic Blas’s follow‑up (61st minute).

The French continued to dominate the game until Mahdi Camara unleashed a shot on target in the 74th minute, while Bryan Reynolds missed from close range in the 78th minute. Despite the pressure, the score remained unchanged as Sturm could not convert any clear chances.

Sturm showed some initiative at the end: Simon Seidl received a commendable pass from Filip Rozga and struck a low corner that Brice Samba had to save (84th minute). The match ended goalless, even though Sturm's finishing was in the guests’ favour.

The match official was SR Lukjancukas from Lithuania, and yellow cards were shown to Balbo, Gorenc Stankovic and coach Ingolitsch. At the same time, the Austrian defenders Kevin Danso and Felix Bacher began the Europa League group stage on Wednesday with victories for their respective clubs.