UEFA Europa League League Stage - 1
FC Midtjylland 2 - 0 FT Sturm Graz
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 Djú
45' Philip Billing
Maurice Malone 45'+3
HT
↓ F. Rozga ↑J. Hodl 46'
↓ M. Malone ↑L. Grgic 59'
60' ↓ Cho Gue-Sung ↑A. Simsir
69' ↓ K. Mbabu ↑A. Gabriel
69' ↓ Junior Brumado ↑E. Chilufya
Emanuel Aiwu 71'
↓ T. Oermann ↑S. Hierlander 73'
↓ S. Jatta ↑B. Beganovic 73'
↓ T. Chukwuani ↑J. Beck 84'
88' ↓ Franculino ↑V. Byskov
89' O. Diao (A. Simsir)
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
FC Midtjylland
Goalkeepers
E. Olafsson 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
K. Mbabu 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
30%
Pass Acc
O. 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
M. Bech Sorensen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
P. Billing
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Bravo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. 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
Junior Brumado
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
69
Entry
Franculino 
NPC
88
Minutes
88
Minutes
7%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
BENCH
J. Lossl 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Ugboh
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Gabriel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Paulinho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Konteh Krubally
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
V. Bak
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
V. Byskov
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
2
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Simsir 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
30
Minutes
6.9
Rating
E. Chilufya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Etim
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Djabi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Sturm Graz
Goalkeepers
O. Christensen 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
0
Fouls
5.9
Rating
Defenders
T. Oermann
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
E. Aiwu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Lavalee 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
E. Karic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
F. Rozga
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Gorenc Stankovic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Chukwuani
LATE SHIFT
6
Late Mins
6
Late Mins
84
Total Mins
84
Entry
T. Horvat
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
15%
Pass Acc
S. Jatta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Forwards
M. Malone
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
BENCH
C. Wiener-Pucher
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Bignetti
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Mitchell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Haider
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Geyrhofer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Beck
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Hierlander
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Weinhandl
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Hodl
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
B. Beganovic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Grgic
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
League Standings
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +13
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +5
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +3
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -7
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -10
P: 8 GD: -11
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
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 Djú. 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 mark—a 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.
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 Djú 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.