This afternoon at 3:00 p.m., during our retreat in Marbella, we will face the SK Sturm Graz, one of the most prestigious teams in Austrian soccer. This will be the Bianconeri's first official outing in 2025, an important opportunity to test fitness and tactics against a top team.
📺 Follow the match live on our YouTube channel starting at 2:55 pm.
Club history and data
Founded in 1909, the Sportklub Sturm Graz, or simply SK Sturm Graz, has a long and glorious history. The club, based in Graz, Styria, is known for its black and white social colors and for being one of the most titled in Austria.
Throughout its history, the club has won four national titles (1998, 1999, 2011 e 2024), seven ÖFB-Cup e three ÖFB-Supercup. Home games, except European games, are played at the Merkur Arena of Graz, a stadium of about 16,800 spectators.
Form situation
Sturm Graz comes to this friendly in great shape. He currently leads the Austrian Bundesliga, with 36 points obtained in 16 games, the result of 11 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses. The last official match, played on December 7, ended with a net 3-0 vs. WSG Tirol.
The Austrian Bundesliga consists of 12 teams and includes a regular phase followed by playoffs. Sturm Graz not only leads the league, but also boasts a goal difference of +24, showing great solidity both offensively and defensively.
Focus Champions League
In the 2024/2025 season, Sturm Graz participates in the League Phase of the UEFA Champions League, where he faces top-level opponents such as. Lille, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting CP..
Despite some difficulties, it is still in the running for a playoff spot, currently at the 29th place With two games left to play.
Head-to-head vs. Lugano
There is no record of previous official meetings between SK Sturm Graz e FC Lugano. However, the bianconeri have played four games against Austrian teams in the past, getting one win and three losses.
After Lugano, Sturm Graz will also face the Grasshopper Club Zürich to continue their winter preparation.
Pink analysis
- Pink value Sturm Graz: 78.98 million.
- Most valuable player: Mika Biereth (21-year-old former Arsenal striker) and Malick Yalcouyé (19-year-old midfielder on loan from Brighton), both rated 13 million.
- Average pink age: 23.9 years, confirming a young and talented team.
Key players
Sturm Graz's most representative players include:
- Otar Kiteishvili: Georgian midfielder with great game vision and insertion skills.
- Gregory Wüthrich: Swiss central defender, former YB and GC, after a brief experience in the Down Under, moved to Austria and became a mainstay of the rearguard thanks to his physicality and sense of position.
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Kjell Scherpen: Dutch goalkeeper, 2.05 m tall, a specialist in exits and penalties, with 50% of penalties parried in season and 4 clean sheet.
A challenge not to be missed
This friendly represents an important test for the bianconeri, who will be facing a team of Champions League. Don't miss: follow live on our YouTube channel and support the boys in this first outing of the new year!