Oumar Diakité’s goal gives Sturm Graz a 1-0 Europa League win

Sturm Graz beat Marseille 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League League Stage - 3, with Oumar Diakité’s early goal deciding the match at Stadion Graz-Liebenau.

Diakité strikes first

Sturm Graz took the lead in the 13th minute when Oumar Diakité scored a normal goal, assisted by Luca Weinhandl, to make the running score 1-0. Diakité was substituted for Belmin Beganovic at half-time, while Marseille also replaced Angel Gomes and Neal Maupay at the interval.

Marseille made further changes in the second half, but could not find an equaliser. The visitors had 71% possession and completed 597 accurate passes compared with Sturm Graz’s 182. They also edged the total-shots count 14-13. However, Sturm Graz had five shots on goal to Marseille’s one, while the expected-goals figures were 1.47 and 0.73 respectively, indicating that the scoreline was not simply explained by possession.

Cards and decisive contributions

Both teams collected three yellow cards, with Angel Gomes booked in the 24th minute and Bamo Meite in the 90th for Marseille. Sturm Graz’s cautions went to Diakité, Weinhandl and Arjan Malić.

Weinhandl was the standout performer, earning a 7.4 rating. He supplied the assist, made three key passes and recorded three tackles. J. de Lange also rated 7.3 for Marseille after making four saves.

Table impact

After this match, Sturm Graz are ranked #16 with 4 points from 3 games, while Marseille are ranked #34 with 0 points from 3 games. Sturm Graz are 4 points ahead. Their pre-match form was Draw, Loss, Win; Marseille’s was Loss, Loss.