UEFA Europa League Gameweek 1
FC Midtjylland 2 - 0 FT Sturm Graz
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Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Manchester City
5-3
Sunderland
โก Intensity
100
โ๏ธ Balance
91
๐ Stakes
67
๐ฒ Upset
0
Eight goals, hat-trick heroics, pure chaos.
Futmetrix Verdict
55
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Gamba Osaka
0-1
Vissel Kobe
โก Intensity
40
โ๏ธ Balance
20
๐ Stakes
78
๐ฒ Upset
0
Erik breaks Gamba hearts at 90'
Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Atletico Madrid
2-1
Real Madrid
โก Intensity
86
โ๏ธ Balance
31
๐ Stakes
100
๐ฒ Upset
60
A chaotic derby flips Madrid's hierarchy.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
7' O. Christensen (Franculino)
24' Franculino Djรบ
45' Philip Billing
Maurice Malone 45'+3
HT
โ F. Rozga โJ. Hodl 46'
โ M. Malone โL. Grgic 59'
60' โ Cho Gue-Sung โA. Simsir
69' โ Junior Brumado โE. Chilufya
69' โ K. Mbabu โA. Gabriel
Emanuel Aiwu 71'
โ T. Oermann โS. Hierlander 73'
โ S. Jatta โB. Beganovic 73'
โ T. Chukwuani โJ. Beck 84'
88' โ Franculino โV. Byskov
89' O. Diao (A. Simsir)
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
FC Midtjylland
Goalkeepers
Elรญas Rafn รlafsson 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Kevin Mbabu 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
30%
Pass Acc
Ousmane Diao 
CLUTCH HERO
89
Goal Time
89
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
8.2
Rating
Lee Han-Beom 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Mads Bech Sรธrensen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Philip Billing
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pedro Bravo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Denil Castillo
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
9
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Cho Gue-Sung
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Forwards
Jรบnior Brumado
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
69
Entry
Franculino Djรบ 
NPC
88
Minutes
88
Minutes
7%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
BENCH
Jonas Lรถssl 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Mark Ugboh
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Adam Gabriel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Paulo Victor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bilal Krubally
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Victor Bak Jensen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Valdemar Byskov
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
2
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aral ลimลir 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
30
Minutes
6.9
Rating
Edward Chilufya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Friday Etim
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Djabi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Sturm Graz
Goalkeepers
Oliver Christensen 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
0
Fouls
5.9
Rating
Defenders
Tim Oermann
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Emanuel Aiwu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dimitri Lavalรฉe 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Emir Kariฤ
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
F. Rozga
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jon Gorenc Stankoviฤ
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tochi Chukwuani
LATE SHIFT
6
Late Mins
6
Late Mins
84
Total Mins
84
Entry
Tomi Horvat
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
15%
Pass Acc
Seedy Jatta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Forwards
Maurice Malone
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
BENCH
Christoph Wiener-Pucher
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Matteo Bignetti
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jeyland Mitchell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Haider
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Niklas Geyrhofer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Julius Beck
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stefan Hierlรคnder
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luca Weinhandl
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jacob Hรถdl
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Belmin Beganoviฤ
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leon Grgiฤ
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/13/2024 | Sturm Graz | 1 - 0 | FC Midtjylland | Friendlies Clubs | ATV-Riesneralm-Arena Irdning |
| 11/03/2022 | FC Midtjylland | 2 - 0 | Sturm Graz | UEFA Europa League | MCH Arena |
| 09/08/2022 | Sturm Graz | 1 - 0 | FC Midtjylland | UEFA Europa League | Merkur Arena |
07/13/2024
11/03/2022
09/08/2022
FC Midtjylland Win
Sturm Graz Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
FC Midtjylland
Sturm Graz
FC Midtjylland
Sturm Graz
Late Fireworks Break Austrian Hearts at MCH Arena
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 47/100. A gritty European clash hinged on fine margins, but late attacking heroics secured all three points for the Danish hosts to keep them pushing toward the knockout phase.
Early Drama and VAR Tension
The match kicked off with tremendous Intensity under the European lights. FC Midtjylland edged possession early on, dominating the tempo and finding an almost immediate breakthrough. Just seven minutes in, an unfortunate own goal credited to O. Christensen altered the entire tactical landscape. The MCH Arena held its collective breath as the referee paused play for a VAR review regarding the buildup involving Franculino Djรบ. The goal was confirmed, igniting the home crowd and instantly putting the visitors on the back foot. Despite the early hammer blow, Sturm Graz refused to retreat. They pressed aggressively, forcing turnovers and proving they had not travelled to Denmark merely to make up the numbers in this tightly contested league phase encounter.
A Battle of Goalkeepers
As the match progressed into the second half, the Balance of play teetered on a knife-edge. The Austrian visitors actually registered more total shots (11) and a higher expected goals tally (0.91) than their hosts, desperately searching for an equalizer. However, they found no way past a resilient Danish backline anchored masterfully by Kevin Mbabu and the tireless midfield work of Denil Castillo. Goalkeeper heroics defined this pivotal middle period, with eight total saves shared evenly between the two shot-stoppers to keep the game precariously poised. With the Stakes rising and spaces opening up on the counter-attack, the home bench opted to introduce A. Simsir on the hour markโa tactical roll of the dice designed to kill off the growing Austrian momentum.
The Late Dagger
That tactical switch paid massive dividends just when a high Upset Factor seemed to be looming over the stadium. In the 89th minute, the fresh legs of Simsir perfectly exposed a fatigued visiting defense, laying off a clinical assist for O. Diao. The defender stepped up and smashed home the decisive second goal, instantly evaporating the lingering tension and breaking Austrian hearts. This hard-fought 2-0 victory fortifies Midtjylland's impressive season context, vaulting them to 19 points and keeping them firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion to the Europa League knockout rounds. Meanwhile, the result leaves Sturm Graz languishing near the bottom of the table, left to rue their missed opportunities in front of goal.
Key Questions
How dramatic was the late winner by Ousmane Diao?
Extremely dramatic. Diao smashed home an 89th-minute strike to break the palpable tension, definitively sealing the 2-0 victory when the visitors were desperately pushing for an equalizer.
How did substitute Ousmane Diao change the game?
While Diao was a starter, it was actually substitute A. Simsir who changed the game, providing the crucial 89th-minute assist for Diao's thunderous match-winning goal.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
A Mismatch Awaits at MCH Arena
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 9/100. Unless you are a die-hard supporter, our verdict is to skip this fixture, as the hosts' dominance offers little dramatic tension for neutral viewers.
The Setup
When FC Midtjylland host Sturm Graz at the MCH Arena this September 24, 2025, the trajectories of the two clubs could not be more different. Under the current UEFA Europa League format, finishing in the top eight is the ultimate prize, and the Danish hosts are flying high in third place. Their superb Form rating is backed up by an impressive +10 goal difference, proving they are a force to be reckoned with on the continent. Meanwhile, the Austrian visitors languish in 26th place, sitting desperately just below the top-24 playoff line. The Stakes are technically massive for Sturm Graz as they fight to survive and advance, but the severe lack of competitive Balance suggests a totally one-sided affair. With a notably low Stars rating across the pitch, even bright individual sparks like Franculino Djรบ for the home side and O. Kiteishvili for the visitors cannot mask the lack of blockbuster appeal in this clash.
Key Battle
Expect a fundamental tactical clash between Midtjylland's relentless midfield engine and Sturm Graz's deeply vulnerable defensive structure. The home side's playmakers will seamlessly camp out on the edge of the final third, forcing the visitors' back line into a frantic, low-block survival exercise.
Our Prediction
Midtjylland's sheer attacking volume will inevitably crack the Austrian wall. We expect a comfortable 2-0 home victory, with the Danish side dominating possession, suffocating counter-attacks, and dictating the tempo from the very first whistle.