Sturm Graz vs SC Austria Lustenau: the hosts want to keep pace with the leaders
SK Sturm Graz and SC Austria Lustenau meet in the 4th round of the Austrian Bundesliga at Stadion Graz-Liebenau. The match is scheduled for August 22, with kick-off at 19:30. The time has been changed from the previously announced schedule. The stadium gates open at 18:00, so fans travelling to Graz should plan their arrival according to the new kick-off time.
The two teams enter the match after victories in the 3rd round. In front of 14,715 spectators, Sturm defeated SCR Altach 1:0, while Austria Lustenau beat Wolfsberger AC 2:1 at home. After Saturday's part of the 3rd round, Sturm are second with seven points from three matches, while Austria Lustenau are fourth with four points. Some of the other matches in the round had not yet been played at the time of writing, so the positions may change further before their head-to-head meeting.
For Sturm, the objective is clear: continue their unbeaten run in the league and remain right near the top. Lustenau, however, have shown in the first three rounds that they do not intend to spend their return to the top flight exclusively defending. Markus Mader's team have already taken a point against SV Ried, made things difficult for Grazer AK 1902 and then defeated WAC.
Tickets for this match have been in demand among fans, especially after Sturm once again played their first league home match of the season in front of almost full stands.
Sturm's form: seven points and only one goal conceded
Sturm opened the league campaign with a draw against WSG Tirol and then recorded two consecutive victories. Defensively, Fabio Ingolitsch's team have conceded only one goal in the first three rounds. At the same time, they have not relied on a single player in attack.
- WSG Tirol - Sturm Graz 1:1
- TSV Hartberg - Sturm Graz 0:2
- Sturm Graz - SCR Altach 1:0
In Hartberg, Nelson Weiper decided the match. He came off the bench in the second half and scored in the 69th and 81st minutes. Against Altach, the hero was Seedy Jatta, who headed in the only goal in the 78th minute.
The match against Altach also showed where Sturm may have problems. The visitors created several very good chances in the first half, and Daniil Khudyakov had to intervene several times to keep the score at 0:0. Sturm improved after the break, increased the pressure and increasingly won set-piece opportunities. Jatta's winning goal came from a corner.
That is a detail that will also interest Lustenau. Sturm have height, physical strength and enough players capable of attacking deliveries from set pieces. If the hosts push the visitors back towards their penalty area early on, corners and free kicks could become an important part of the match.
On the other hand, Sturm's schedule since the beginning of August has been very intense. Between league matches, the team played two demanding qualifying matches against Fenerbahçe. Against Altach, particularly in the first 30 minutes, it was possible to see that the rhythm was taking its toll. Ingolitsch therefore has reason to use the depth of his squad and rotate his forwards depending on the state of the match.
Weiper and Jatta offer different solutions
Nelson Weiper has scored two league goals in the first three rounds, both against Hartberg. His introduction from the bench completely changed that match. Against Altach he started from the first minute, while Seedy Jatta came on in the second half and scored the winning goal.
Alongside them, Ingolitsch has used Szymon Włodarczyk and Axel Kayombo, giving the hosts several different options in the final third. Sturm do not have to build their attack around one fixed first-choice striker. Against a team that drops deeper, they can increase the number of players in the penalty area, while in a more open match they have enough pace to attack the space behind the defence.
The contribution of the midfield is also important. Jon Gorenc Stanković provides balance in front of the defence, while Jacob Hödl, Luca Weinhandl, Simon Seidl and Gizo Mamageishvili have received minutes in different combinations during the beginning of the season. Because of the congested schedule, the selection in central midfield will be one of the indicators of how aggressively Sturm intend to start from the first minute.
Austria Lustenau arrive after their first victory
The Bundesliga returnees have not had an easy start to the season, but four points after three rounds represent a solid foundation. Markus Mader's team have also scored in every league match.
- SC Austria Lustenau - SV Ried 1:1
- Grazer AK 1902 - SC Austria Lustenau 2:1
- SC Austria Lustenau - Wolfsberger AC 2:1
Against Ried, Dominik Weixelbraun scored to make it 1:0 after a move created by Seydou Diarra and Danilo Soares. In the away defeat against GAK, Dion Kacuri scored a temporary equaliser for 1:1, while Antonio Verinac came off the bench and assisted that goal.
Against WAC, Mader gave him a place in the starting line-up and received an immediate response. Verinac scored both goals in the 2:1 victory. For the first, Weixelbraun sent a low ball across the face of goal and the striker finished from close range. For the second, he reacted after Seydou Diarra's shot struck the frame of the goal.
Austria showed several elements in that match that could be particularly important in Graz: aggression after winning possession, quickly looking for a vertical solution and the willingness of several players to immediately move towards the penalty area. Sturm had problems against Altach precisely when the visitors quickly transitioned from winning the ball into attack.
Antonio Verinac has suddenly become an important factor
The two-goal scorer against WAC is a logical candidate for a place at the top of the attack in Graz as well. His contribution was not limited to the two goals. He moved between the centre-backs, attacked the space in front of goal and participated in transitions, and he almost completed a hat-trick.
Alongside him, Dominik Weixelbraun, Albin Gashi, Seydou Diarra and Lord Afrifa started against WAC. Dion Kacuri operated from midfield, and it was he who showed a round earlier against GAK that Lustenau can also threaten with shots from outside the penalty area.
Mader also has options from the bench. Sacha Delaye, Precious Benjamin, Lenn Jastremski, Pius Grabher and Lukas Ibertsberger were used in the most recent match. That is important for an away fixture in which Lustenau will very likely have to spend certain periods of the match without the ball and then look for fresh energy for transitions in the closing stages.
Tactical battle: Sturm will look for pressure, Lustenau for space behind it
The most logical scenario is greater territorial pressure from Sturm. After a weaker first half against Altach, the hosts shifted the game towards the visitors' penalty area, won second balls and finished with a large number of corners. Against Lustenau they will want to establish that kind of control earlier.
For the visitors, the first pass after regaining the ball could be crucial. Weixelbraun and Diarra have already shown in the opening rounds that they can quickly move the attack towards the flanks, while Verinac provides a target in the middle. If Sturm attack the final third with a large number of players, the space behind their full-backs becomes an area Lustenau can try to exploit.
At the same time, Sturm will have to pay attention to the quality of their own defending in the opening minutes. Against Altach, Khudyakov had to rescue them several times before the team established its rhythm. Lustenau scored both goals against WAC in the first half, so a passive start by the hosts could give the visitors exactly what they are looking for.
For Lustenau, defending set pieces and continuous crosses will be a major test. Sturm found the winning goal against Altach from a corner, while the home forwards provide several options in the air. If the visitors drop too deep, the number of such situations could quickly increase.
The head-to-head record is heavily in Sturm's favour
The history of league meetings gives the hosts a major statistical advantage. Competition data for head-to-head meetings since the 1974/75 season list 16 league matches - Sturm won 15, while one ended in a draw. The goal difference in that sample is 49:8.
The most recent league meeting was played in Graz in November 2023. Sturm won 2:0. Tomi Horvat scored the opening goal early in the second half, while Alexander Prass sealed the victory. Lustenau played with a man down from the 52nd minute.
The teams have changed significantly since then, so the old record is not sufficient for assessing the current match. Nevertheless, it shows how difficult it has historically been for Lustenau to get a result against Sturm. For Markus Mader's current team, the victory against WAC therefore comes at the ideal moment: they travel to Graz after a result that confirms they can punish the favourites' mistakes.
Stadion Graz-Liebenau and stands that are almost always full
Stadion Graz-Liebenau is located in the southern part of Graz, in the Liebenau district. It opened in 1997, and SK Sturm lists a capacity of 16,364 spectators for league matches. The venue is shared by Sturm and Grazer AK 1902.
Public interest in recent seasons has given Sturm's matches a very distinctive atmosphere. In the 2025/26 season, the club recorded an average attendance of 15,848 spectators at home matches, which was a new club record. The first home league match of the new season against Altach was watched by 14,715 spectators.
That means the visiting team does not only face a high-quality opponent but also enters a stadium where there is very little empty space when Sturm play a league match. The pressure from the stands is particularly noticeable when the hosts put together several attacks, corners or won duels in front of the north stand.
Seats in the stands disappear quickly, so fans planning to attend this match should organise their arrival early, especially because of temporary changes to public transport in Liebenau.
How to get to the stadium and what to know before the match
For navigation to the stadium, the address Ivica-Osim-Platz 1 in Graz is used. The stadium is south of the inner city centre and can be reached by car, public transport and on foot from nearby railway connections.
On the day of this match, it is worth paying attention to construction work in the Liebenau/Murpark area. Because of work on the tram infrastructure from August 1 to 23, replacement bus E4 operates between Liebenau/Murpark and Stadion Liebenau. This period also includes the day of the match against Lustenau.
- Kick-off is at 19:30, and the stadium gates open at 18:00.
- From Liebenau/Murpark towards Stadion Liebenau, replacement bus E4 operates during the construction works.
- Ostbahnhof is approximately 950 metres from the stadium and is a practical option for passengers arriving in Graz by train.
- For arrival by car from the motorway, use the Graz Ost exit and continue towards Liebenauer Hauptstraße.
- Park & Ride is available in the Murpark area, from where the journey to the stadium can be continued by public transport.
There are garage and public parking spaces around the stadium, but the large number of spectators means that arriving by car immediately before kick-off is not the best time to look for parking. Park & Ride followed by public transport can be more practical, especially for visitors who do not know Graz well.
Fans who arrive earlier also have an additional advantage: they can avoid the largest wave of people at the entrances. For this match, the stadium opens an hour and a half before kick-off, and entry is through the gate corresponding to the sector stated on the ticket.
What fans can expect from the evening in Graz
Sturm enter the match as the team with the better start, home advantage and a strongly favourable head-to-head record. Seven points from the first three rounds, only one goal conceded and the in-form Weiper and Jatta give Ingolitsch several reasons for optimism.
Lustenau, however, arrive after their best match of the beginning of the season. Antonio Verinac has just made a serious case for a place in the starting line-up, Weixelbraun and Diarra create problems in transition, while Kacuri provides an additional threat from deeper positions. For the visitors, the most important thing is to survive periods of home pressure without conceding a series of set pieces in front of their own goal and remain brave enough when they win the ball.
For Sturm, it will be important to avoid a repeat of the first half against Altach, when the opponent created several very clear opportunities. If the hosts establish control earlier, their volume of attacks, depth on the bench and set pieces should give them the advantage. If Lustenau find space and the opening goal first, the match could take on a completely different rhythm.
Ticket sales for this match are ongoing. With Sturm's recent attendance record and almost 15,000 spectators already at the first home league appearance of the season, it is realistic to expect very full stands and a strong home atmosphere.
For visitors, the most important practical detail is therefore simple: plan for a 19:30 kick-off, the gates opening at 18:00 and temporarily altered public transport in the Liebenau/Murpark area. It is worth securing tickets in good time and organising the journey to the stadium before the biggest evening crowds.
Sources:
- Bundesliga.at - current table, results from the first three rounds, head-to-head record and match data for Sturm and SC Austria Lustenau.
- SK Sturm Graz - schedule, changed match time, reports against Hartberg and Altach, coach, line-ups, stadium and attendance data.
- SC Austria Lustenau - schedule, reports against SV Ried, Grazer AK 1902 and Wolfsberger AC, as well as the current squad and coach Markus Mader.
- Stadion Graz Liebenau / MCG Graz - stadium location, access from Ostbahnhof, road access and Park & Ride information.
- Holding Graz - temporary traffic changes and replacement bus E4 between Liebenau/Murpark and Stadion Liebenau during August 2026.
- Stadt Graz - current information about Stadion Graz-Liebenau and its role as the home stadium of Graz clubs.