Sturm Vs Leipzig

As they prepare to conclude their respective European journeys, Sturm Graz and RB Leipzig will face off in a Champions League encounter at 28 Black Arena on Wednesday night. With their fortunes already determined in the competition, both sides will be looking to finish on a positive note—Sturm Graz having already been eliminated, while RB Leipzig aim to string together consecutive victories in the league phase.

Returning to action after a five-week winter break, Sturm Graz exhibited clear signs of rustiness in their last outing. Their visit to Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo proved to be a night to forget, as they were comprehensively dismantled by Atalanta BC. The Europa League holders handed the Austrian side a crushing five-goal defeat, effectively shutting them down with a dominant defensive display that restricted them to a solitary shot on Marco Carnesecchi’s goal. It was a sobering reality check for Die Schwoazn, confirming their exit from the competition with no chance of securing a knockout stage berth.

Currently sitting in 33rd place in the league phase standings, Sturm Graz find themselves seven points adrift of Stuttgart, the lowest-ranked team occupying a playoff position. Their campaign has been a difficult one, with struggles particularly evident on the road. However, after an arduous stretch of four consecutive away fixtures over nearly two months, the Austrian champions will finally return to the familiar surroundings of 28 Black Arena. Their last appearance at home in the competition came on November 27, when they pulled off a surprise victory against La Liga’s unexpected high-flyers, Girona.

A pivotal figure in that triumph was Mika Biereth, whose decisive goal secured Sturm Graz’s sole league phase win so far. The 21-year-old’s impressive performances in the first half of the season did not go unnoticed, as they earned him a move to Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco earlier this month. With Biereth now plying his trade in France, Sturm Graz will need to find new sources of attacking inspiration to maintain their title defense in the Austrian Bundesliga. Manager Jurgen Saumel will be looking towards the collective effort of his squad to compensate for the loss of their young talisman as they chase back-to-back domestic championships, having ended a 13-year title drought last season.

Meanwhile, RB Leipzig’s journey in this season’s Champions League has been far from straightforward. After securing a fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga last term, expectations were high for Die Roten Bullen to at least push for a spot in the knockout rounds. However, their European campaign was effectively derailed by a disastrous start that saw them lose their first six matches in the league phase, eliminating any realistic hopes of progression.

There was a much-needed morale boost for Marco Rose’s men in their most recent European outing, as they finally broke their losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon. Goals from Benjamin Sesko and Yussuf Poulsen on either side of the interval ensured Leipzig claimed their first points of the campaign. Sporting, who had once been a formidable force in Europe under Ruben Amorim, have suffered a sharp decline since his departure to Manchester United, and Leipzig took full advantage of their struggles to secure a long-awaited win.

Beyond their Champions League woes, Leipzig have found some stability in domestic competition since returning from their own winter break. In their last five matches across all competitions, they have suffered just one defeat, accumulating five points from four Bundesliga fixtures. Their run included a crucial home victory over mid-table Werder Bremen earlier this month, as they continued their pursuit of a strong finish in the German top flight.

Leipzig’s resilience was on full display in their most recent Bundesliga fixture against reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen. In a dramatic contest at Red Bull Arena, David Raum netted his first goal of the season before a late own goal from Edmond Tapsoba secured a hard-fought draw. The result was a testament to Leipzig’s ability to bounce back under pressure, demonstrating their fighting spirit even against the division’s best.

However, as they prepare for their trip to Austria, a major concern looms over their Champions League away record. Leipzig are one of just five teams in the 36-team league phase yet to secure a single point on the road in the competition. Their previous away games have ended in disappointment, with defeats at the hands of Atletico Madrid, Celtic, and Inter Milan. As they step onto the pitch at 28 Black Arena, Rose’s men will be eager to break that unwanted streak and prove their mettle on foreign soil.

Both teams enter this fixture with little at stake in terms of progression, yet each will be motivated to end their campaign on a high. For Sturm Graz, the focus will be on restoring pride and delivering a performance that their home supporters can take encouragement from. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig will be determined to build momentum ahead of their domestic commitments, with a particular emphasis on improving their form away from home.

With both sides possessing the talent and ambition to make an impact, Wednesday’s encounter promises to be an intriguing battle, even if the larger European picture has already been decided.