Sturm Graz vs Club Brugge

The stakes are high for Sturm Graz and Club Brugge as they lock horns in a must-win UEFA Champions League showdown at the Merkur-Arena.

Sturm Graz failed to stay unbeaten in their Champions League opener as Brest’s second-half winner condemned them to a 2-1 loss in France. Another group/league phase exit looks inevitable for the four-time Austrian champions unless they can quickly halt a dismal eight-match losing run at Europe’s top table. However, that’s easier said than done, considering they’ve slumped to three losses across their four previous encounters against Belgian opposition (W1). As if that’s not concerning enough, Christian Ilzer’s men have secured only five wins from their last 25 European home outings (D3, L17), suggesting the impending home return isn’t a necessarily good omen. Sturm can draw confidence from their decent league start, though. They’ve emerged as the early pacesetters in the Austrian Bundesliga after winning five of their first eight top-flight games (D1, L2).

On the other hand, Club Brugge conceded three unanswered goals beyond the 70th minute en route to a 3-0 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League curtain-raiser. Seemingly disappointed with that result, Nicky Hayen’s men have gone winless in back-to-back league matches since (D1, L1), including a thumping 4-2 loss to bitter rivals Gent. Despite taking this trip amid a three-game winless run, the visitors can seek comfort in their decent-looking away record against Austrian clubs (W2, D1, L1). Rediscovering their defensive solidity could be a turning point, as they’ve kept a clean sheet in three of their last seven away games in the Champions League proper.