Grazer AK vs SC Austria Lustenau: guide to the league clash in Graz
Grazer AK 1902 and SC Austria Lustenau meet in the second round of the Austrian Bundesliga at the Graz-Liebenau stadium, also known as Merkur Arena. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00 local time in Graz, or 15:00 UTC. This is an important correction for travellers following the schedule in different time zones.
The home side enters the match after a heavy 3:0 defeat away to LASK, while returning side SC Austria Lustenau opened the season with a 1:1 draw against SV Ried. After just the first round, there is already a clear difference in the initial mood: GAK are looking for a response in front of their own supporters, while the visitors want to confirm that their good performance in the opener was no accident.
Tickets for this match are in demand among supporters. The first home league appearance of the season always brings additional energy, and for GAK the match is an opportunity to immediately erase the poor impression from Linz.
What is at stake for Grazer AK
Grazer AK began the season away to the champions, and the 3:0 scoreline alone does not tell the whole story about the difficulty of the task, but the match statistics show where the problems arose. LASK had 23 shots, while GAK were limited to four. The home side from Linz registered ten shots on target, while GAK managed only one. Ferdinand Feldhofer's team spent a large part of the match deep in their own half and struggled to connect possession with progression into the final third.
For the home side, therefore, simply showing greater aggression will not be enough. They need better spacing between the lines, a safer first pass after winning the ball and more players around the forwards. In Linz, Daniel Maderner and Alexander Hofleitner were often left without support, while Christian Lichtenberger and Peter Michorl had to work far away from the opposition penalty area.
Feldhofer has several clear starting points for improvement:
- faster progression of the ball after winning possession
- more support for the forwards from deeper-running players
- less space behind the full-backs and wide centre-backs
- more accurate set pieces that Peter Michorl and Christian Lichtenberger can take
- a calmer start to the match without falling behind early
Cican Stankovic made seven saves in the first round and prevented an even heavier defeat. That is an important fact for the home side, but also a warning: the goalkeeper should not once again be the busiest player in the team. Donovan Pines, Yannick Oberleitner, Leon Klassen, Matthias Gragger and Beres Owusu form a group of defensive options with height and strength, but against Lustenau's mobile players they will have to control the space between the centre-backs and wide areas more effectively.
Anderson Dos Santos Gomes, a former SC Austria Lustenau player who joined GAK this summer, attracts particular attention. His knowledge of the visitors' patterns of play could be useful, regardless of whether he starts the match or comes on from the bench.
SC Austria Lustenau arrive with a clear plan
SC Austria Lustenau showed in the first round against SV Ried why, after returning to the top flight, they do not want to be reduced to a team that only defends. Markus Mader included six new players in the starting line-up, but the team did not look like a collection of individuals who were only just getting to know one another. Lustenau threatened early, had a Precious Benjamin goal disallowed, and then took the lead in the 26th minute.
The move for 1:0 provides a good description of what GAK must defend against. Seydou Diarra found Danilo Soares, a cut-back or driven ball into a dangerous area followed, and Dominik Weixelbraun finished the attack first time. It is a combination of pace on the wing, a well-timed run from a wide player and a forward entering the finishing phase without unnecessary touches.
Weixelbraun played 87 minutes against Ried, scored from two attempts and showed that he can finish attacks but also work without the ball. Precious Benjamin and Seydou Diarra provide width and depth, while Sacha Delaye can create chances from set pieces and the half-spaces. In midfield, Dion Kacuri and Lord Afrifa bring energy, while captain Matthias Maak organises the defence.
Before the trip to Graz, Mader stressed that he expects a more aggressive GAK than in the first round. That means Lustenau will probably not have as much time to build attacks. The visitors will have to be ready for more direct play, second balls and immediate pressure from the home side after possession is lost.
The visitors' squad situation appears favourable. According to the club report, the coach can count on almost the entire squad, while Haris Ismailcebioglu has returned to full training and is in contention for the matchday squad. For GAK, no equally reliable and comprehensive confirmation of all absentees was found before publication, so there is no point in speculating about names.
A tactical battle that could be decided in midfield
Based on the starting formations from the first round, GAK can defend with five players in the back line and look for two forwards with more direct ball progression. Such a formation provides numbers in defence but becomes passive if the midfield remains too far away from the attack. Against LASK, it was precisely that distance that made it difficult to escape pressure.
SC Austria Lustenau deployed several fast and technically capable players around the central attacking area against Ried. Danilo Soares can advance down the left, Fabian Gmeiner can provide width on the opposite side, while Diarra and Benjamin constantly vary the height of their positions. GAK therefore have to decide whether to follow them deeper or take the risk of pressing their first passers.
Three zones are particularly important:
- the space behind GAK's wide players, where Lustenau can attack with pace
- the duels of Maderner and Hofleitner against centre-backs Maak and Pertlwieser
- set pieces around the visitors' penalty area, where Michorl's left foot can change the match
- the second ball in front of the home defence, especially after long clearances
- the opening 15 minutes, because GAK need a reaction while Lustenau can exploit excessive haste
A match with more stoppages, duels and crosses would suit the home side. The visitors would prefer a more open rhythm in which Diarra, Benjamin and Weixelbraun can attack space. Therefore, the team that imposes the tempo will probably gain a greater advantage than the team that simply keeps the ball for longer.
Head-to-head meetings: recent history is evenly balanced
This has not been a frequent top-flight pairing in recent decades, but the clubs regularly met in the second tier before GAK returned to the elite. The last five competitive meetings before this match produced two GAK victories, two SC Austria Lustenau victories and one draw.
- 26.11.2021. Grazer AK - SC Austria Lustenau 0:0
- 25.07.2021. SC Austria Lustenau - Grazer AK 2:1
- 12.05.2021. Grazer AK - SC Austria Lustenau 2:0
- 11.12.2020. SC Austria Lustenau - Grazer AK 3:1
- 06.06.2020. Grazer AK - SC Austria Lustenau 1:1
Across those five matches, neither team established clear dominance. GAK remained unbeaten at home in the three listed home meetings, with one victory and two draws. Lustenau recorded both of their victories at home. The current squads are significantly different, but the history of this pairing suggests a match in which details, set pieces and the opening goal carry great importance.
Key players worth watching
Cican Stankovic - The GAK goalkeeper was under constant pressure in Linz and finished with a large number of saves. Against Lustenau, his distribution will be just as important as stopping shots, because the home side need to escape the first line of pressure more easily.
Peter Michorl - His left foot provides quality from set pieces and switches of play. GAK will need him closer to the opposition goal, rather than only as a player receiving the ball deep in front of the centre-backs.
Christian Lichtenberger - He can carry the ball, seek one-on-one duels and move into the space between the lines. His connection with the forwards could determine how much GAK create from open play.
Dominik Weixelbraun - Scorer of Lustenau's first league goal this season. He moves between the wing and central area, attacks space and finishes moves quickly.
Seydou Diarra - One of the visitors' most dangerous players when the match becomes transitional. Against Ried, he was involved in the build-up to the opening goal and later created additional chances.
Sacha Delaye - He delivers quality set pieces and can find the final pass from the left half-space. GAK must avoid unnecessary fouls in areas from which he can shoot at goal or look for Maak.
Merkur Arena and the atmosphere of the first home appearance
Merkur Arena is located in the Liebenau district of the city, south of central Graz. The stadium opened in 1997, has covered stands and a capacity of more than 16,000 for domestic league events. The same venue is used by both major Graz clubs, but for this match the visual and vocal identity will belong to GAK's red-and-white supporters.
The first home appearance after the summer break usually begins with an intensified supporter atmosphere even before the teams emerge. Support is particularly important for GAK after their defeat in the first round. The home fans expect energy, duels and forward play, while an early goal could quickly raise the intensity in the stands.
Seats in the stands are disappearing quickly. Arriving earlier reduces waiting at the entrances and leaves enough time to find the correct sector, food and drinks before kick-off.
The following information has been published for this match:
- the stadium ticket offices open at 14:00
- the entrances open at 15:30
- kick-off is at 17:00 local time
- the address is Stadionplatz 1, 8041 Graz
- the stadium may appear in schedules as Stadion Graz-Liebenau or Merkur Arena
How to get to the stadium
The simplest option from central Graz is tram number 4 towards the Stadion Liebenau/Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz stop. The line passes several important points in the city, including Hauptplatz/Congress, Jakominiplatz and Hauptbahnhof, making it suitable for travellers arriving by train as well.
The Stadion Liebenau S-Bahn station is located next to the stadium, but the schedule of special stops can vary depending on the day and event. The current timetable should be checked before departure. For travellers arriving by car, Stadion-Garage is located immediately next to the venue, while P+R Murpark is a practical alternative for continuing by public transport. On matchday, traffic in Liebenau may be slower, and available spaces in the immediate vicinity may be limited.
A practical arrival plan:
- from the centre, use tram 4 to the Stadion Liebenau stop
- from the main railway station, also check the direct connection on tram 4
- for travel by car, consider Stadion-Garage or P+R Murpark
- arrive before the entrances open if a ticket needs to be collected or purchased
- after the match, expect crowds at tram stops and on access roads
It is worth securing tickets in good time. Travellers from outside Graz are advised to plan their return with a time buffer, especially if they depend on an evening train or intercity bus.
A short guide to Graz before the match
The stadium is well enough connected to the centre for a visit to the match to be combined with several hours in the old city centre. Jakominiplatz is the main public transport hub, and from there the tram towards Liebenau provides an easy onward journey to the stadium. For a shorter sightseeing visit, the pedestrian areas around Hauptplatz, the view towards Schlossberg and the area along the River Mur are practical choices.
Supporters arriving only for matchday should first arrange their transport to the stadium and only then plan sightseeing. Saturday traffic and larger numbers of travellers can extend journey times. Water, light clothing and enough time to enter the stadium are more important than trying to overcrowd the pre-match schedule.
Sources:
- Bundesliga.at - second-round schedule, kick-off time, stadium, table, line-ups, first-round statistics and head-to-head record
- SC Austria Lustenau - preview of the away match in Graz, Markus Mader's statement, squad situation and report from the draw against SV Ried
- Grazer AK - information about the first home match, ticket-office opening hours and entrance opening times
- Kicker - results of the latest head-to-head matches
- Holding Graz - tram line 4 and the Stadion Liebenau/Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz stop
- Graz Tourismus and the City of Graz - stadium, garage, P+R options and basic arrival information