Champions League | League Stage

Nov 27, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Worthersee Stadion

Sturm Grazvs.Girona

Match preview

Christian Ilzer was head coach of Sturm Graz, but he was appointed manager of Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in mid-November. Jürgen Saumel has taken charge of the Austrians on an interim basis.

While Saumel's team might have been seen as the underdogs against Dortmund, the German side had to field two midfielders in their back four. Maybe the fans expected the team to take advantage of their opponents.

The Austrians are currently top of their domestic league with 32 points from 14 matches, five points ahead of Rapid Vienna in second place.

Sturm Graz have only scored once in their four Champions League matches, while conceding six times. They've also won four of their last six games overall, losing one and drawing one.

The home team have been on a winning streak in their last four home matches, but it's worth noting that they've lost their last six Champions League games at Worthersee Stadion.

Girona are seventh in La Liga with 21 points after 14 matches, and are four points from the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.

Although the White and Reds were beaten 4-0 by PSV in the last match in Europe's premier competition, they were still competitive up until the 55th minute when Arnau Martinez was sent off.

The result wasn't disastrous, given that the Spanish side are only two points from 24th-placed PSV, who are in the Champions League's final round of 16.

I'm sure boss Michel will be concerned about the fact his team have conceded eight goals and scored just four times in four games in the competition, while they have a record of 20 goals netted and 18 conceded in La Liga.

Girona are on a roll, having won four of their last five matches and scoring 13 times in that period.

The visitors have also won two of their last three games, but they have lost five and drawn two of their 10 away games this season, which is a bit worrying.

Recent Performance

Sturm Graz Champions League form:LLLL

Sturm Graz form (all competitions):WWDLWW

Girona Champions League form:LLWL

Girona form (all competitions):LWWLWW

Team News

Sturm Graz midfielder Jon Gorenc-Stankovic hasn't played since late September because of a shoulder injury, so he'll miss the rest of the season.

While he's out, the home team might play a double pivot with Tochi Chukwuani and Otar Kiteishvili, with Malick Yalcouye and William Boving on the sides in wide positions.

Forward Amady Camara might be out with illness, so if Wednesday's game is too soon, the visitors could go with a front two of Mika Biereth and Seedy Jatta.

Girona will be without suspended defender Arnau Martinez and midfielder Yangel Herrera, who is scheduled to make a comeback from a foot injury in mid-December.

Michel could go with a back four of Juanpe, David Lopez, Ladislav Krejci and Daley Blind, with a double pivot of Silvi Clua and Oriol Romeu.

Abel Ruiz, Gabriel Misehouy and Cristian Portu are out, so it looks like Bryan Gil, Donny van de Beek, Miguel Gutierrez and Bojan Miovski will start up front.

Possible starting lineup

Sturm Graz possible starting lineup:

Scherpen; Johnston, Aiwu, Lavalee, Gazibegovic; Yalcouye, Chukwuani, Kiteishvili, Boving; Biereth, Jatta

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; Juanpe, Lopez, Krejci, Blind; Romeu, Clua; Gil, Van de Beek, Gutierrez; Miovski