Sturm Graz uses LASK's win, but Rennes draw dampens momentum

Sturm Graz confirmed on Wednesday in the Europa League its upward trend, as the youngest team in the league with an average age of 22.9 years secured a goalless draw against the French top club Stade Rennes – a result that coach Fabio Ingolitsch described as an important morale boost despite the missing “Lucky Punch”.

Successful Victory against LASK

Only a few days earlier, Sturm Graz had beaten the double winner LASK 2-1, a result that launched the Styrian’s upward trend. Erwin Scheriau of APA emphasized that this success boosted the team’s confidence.

The current squad, with an average age of 22.9 years, is the youngest in the Europa League group stage. Coach Fabio Ingolitsch praised the “young, hungry group”, which defended man‑by‑man across the whole field. The team showed fighting spirit despite inexperience, even though it was technically outmatched in the French Ligue 1.

Disappointment over Missed Points

Ingolitsch lamented that the “Lucky Punch” did not materialise and said: “How brave we were, how we had the momentum in the closing stages on our side … then it’s a bit of a shame that we didn’t take a home win over the line.” He stressed that three points would have been entirely possible.

Despite numerous chances the match remained goalless. In the 30th minute it looked like 1-0 when Paul Koller scored, but the goal was disallowed due to a prior offside by Jacob Hödl. Ingolitsch commented: “Regulamentarily speaking, that is difficult to classify.”

Trend in Set‑Piece Situations

The coach referred to Arsenal, which was very successful in set‑piece situations last season by blocking. He explained that the referees are trying to counter this trend, and that Sturm must adapt its offensive routines.

The line‑up was not at full strength: Jon Gorenc Stankovic only came on at the end, Albert Vallci had to leave the field at half‑time, Seedy Jatta is injured and Otar Kiteischwili was substituted for load reasons. Ingolitsch said: “When I think about how much potential we are still not exploiting at the moment because they are not there, it already makes you eager for more.”

Outlook on Upcoming Duels

Goalkeeper Danijl Chudjakow, 22, was named man of the match by the coach and will be called upon against Red Bull Salzburg on Sunday as well as against Bournemouth on 15 October. Marco Rose, former coach from the Salzburg era, leads the Premier League opponent, and Ingolitsch describes him as a “super‑cool guy”. The team looks optimistically at the upcoming challenges.