The Austrian Bundesliga showcased an exciting contest as SK Rapid Vienna faced SK Sturm Graz in Matchday 12 of the 2025/26 season. The match took place at the Allianz Stadium, with high expectations from fans and players alike.
Match Overview
The showdown began promptly at 16:58. Referee Markus Hameter officiated the match, supported by assistants Maximilian Weiß and Sebastian Gruber, alongside fourth official Safak Barmaksiz.
Team Strategies and Key Players
Both teams approached the match with clear strategies. Rapid Vienna’s coach, Peter Stöger, acknowledged the talent on Sturm Graz, stating they are a formidable squad capable of creating opportunities from limited chances. Meanwhile, Sturm Graz’s coach, Jürgen Säumel, emphasized the intense rivalry and aimed for a successful outcome to bring points back to Graz.
Injuries and Squad News
In terms of team composition, SK Rapid was without several key players, including Marcelin, Schöller, Dahl, Børkeeiet, Mbuyi, and Bischof due to injuries. On the other hand, Sturm Graz missed only Beganovic, with the rest of their squad available.
Previous Encounters
Historically, SK Rapid has dominated their encounters with Sturm Graz. Of their 239 total matches, Rapid has won 114, while Sturm Graz has claimed victory in 65, and 60 matches ended in a draw. The most recent face-off earlier in the season saw Rapid secure a 2-1 victory in Graz on the second matchday.
Recent Form and Expectations
Prior to this match, both teams had contrasting results in their previous matches. Rapid managed a 2-0 away victory against SV Ried, breaking a four-match winless streak in the league. Conversely, Sturm Graz suffered a setback at home against Wolfsberger AC, losing 1-3 after a sequence of four consecutive wins.
Standings
In the league standings, Sturm Graz led the table with 21 points and a goal difference of 19-10, having played only ten matches. Rapid Vienna trailed closely behind, positioned third with 20 points and goal statistics of 20-16.
Conclusion
The match between SK Rapid Vienna and SK Sturm Graz lived up to the pre-game hype, showcasing the intensity that defines their rivalry in the Admiral Bundesliga. Fans eagerly anticipated not only the outcome but also the performance against the backdrop of each team’s current form and history.
