Sturm Graz seeks comeback against Fenerbahce

Sturm Graz will try to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Fenerbahce Istanbul on Tuesday and keep its Champions League hopes alive, ORF reported. The second leg of the third qualifying round will be played in Graz-Liebenau.

Sturm hopes home advantage can inspire a comeback and secure a place in the Champions League play-off. “If we score a goal, whether in the first or 85th minute, anything is possible. Then the stadium will be on fire,” said Nelson Weiper, the 21-year-old striker on loan from Mainz, after scoring twice as a substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 league win at Hartberg.

Winger Jacob Peter Hödl said the team would draw confidence from its supporters. “With our fans behind us, anything is possible. We will give everything to make the impossible possible. It is up to us to light the fire,” he said.

Sturm Graz and Fenerbahce will kick off at 8.30 p.m. ORF1 and Radio Steiermark will broadcast the match live.

Coach Fabio Ingolitsch said Sturm would take “more calculated and greater risks” than in the first leg. “We want to upset them, play bravely and be cheeky. The main thing is who scores the first goal. That changes everything,” he said.

Ingolitsch said Sturm would need to balance its approach carefully. “If we manage to keep a clean sheet and score, whether early or late in the game, then Liebenau will really be on fire. It will become very uncomfortable for the opponents, and that is our main goal,” he said.

Fenerbahce have the advantage not only of the first-leg result and greater individual quality, but also of their financial resources. The Turkish club invested more than 80 million euros in its squad during the summer. Fenerbahce have also never lost in nine matches against Austrian clubs.

The team, led by top scorer Talisca and new coach Ismail Kartal, are aiming to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

Sparta Prague or Olympique Lyon would await in the play-off. Lyon lead 2-1 after the first leg. Even a defeat in that round would bring 4.3 million euros in UEFA prize money, while Sturm are already guaranteed a place in the Europa League league phase.

Ingolitsch also criticised Sturm’s congested schedule. The Graz club played in the league last weekend, while the Turkish Süper Lig season begins this weekend. “You have to question whether our league is setting things up correctly. In this decisive phase, we have a mammoth programme,” he said.

Sturm have played four matches in 11 days, while Fenerbahce have played two in the past seven days. Ingolitsch said Sturm had been preparing for each opponent with only one training session, compared with six training days before the first leg for Fenerbahce and five before the return match.

“At the moment, it is not about preparing specifically for the opponent, but simply about getting my body back under control as quickly as possible,” Ingolitsch said. Midfielder Otar Kiteishvili continues to struggle with calf problems that have affected him since the start of the season, and it remains unclear when the Georgian will return.