“Double yellow cards shown in quick succession as tempers flare, with Luis Balbo and Fabio Ingolitsch both booked within the same minute.”
Sturm Graz
Rennes
Outstanding performance
Sturm Graz•GoalkeeperRennes controlled the game statistically, dominating possession at 62% and out-shooting Sturm Graz 23-11, but couldn't turn that superiority into a winning goal after Adrien Thomasson's early corner-created opener was cancelled out by Paul Koller's header just before the half-hour mark. Sturm Graz, despite conceding territory and completing far fewer passes, showed resilience defensively, making 25 tackles to Rennes' 16 and matching them in dangerous attacks. The second half was a stark contrast to the eventful opening 45 minutes, descending into a stretch of tactical substitutions and cards without either side finding a breakthrough. For Rennes, this draw will feel like two points dropped given their control of the ball and shot count, while Sturm Graz will take the point as a solid result against a technically superior opponent in continental competition.
How entertaining was this match?
Jon Gorenc Stankovic from Sturm Graz commits a foul.
Arnaud Nordin from Rennes wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Luca Weinhandl's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
Filip Rózga from Sturm Graz misses a left-footed shot from outside the box, sending the ball to the right.
Sturm Graz wins a corner after Anthony Rouault concedes.
Simon Seidl's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. He was assisted by Jürgen Heil.
Attempt blocked. Paul-Friedrich Koller from Sturm Graz has his left-footed shot from outside the box blocked.
Sturm Graz wins a corner after Brice Samba concedes.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 5 minutes of added time.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Boulaye Dia from Rennes.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Joshua Quarshie from Sturm Graz.
Attempt missed. Jacob Hödl from Sturm Graz had a left-footed shot from the center of the box after a corner.
Sturm Graz wins a corner after Charlie Cresswell concedes.
Substitution for Rennes: Boulaye Dia comes on for Estéban Lepaul.
Mahdi Camara from Rennes is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Oumar Diakité from Sturm Graz commits a foul.
Attempt saved. Simon Seidl from Sturm Graz has his right-footed shot from the left side of the box saved.
Sturm Graz wins a corner after Brice Samba concedes.
Substitution for Sturm Graz: Simon Seidl comes on for Luís Balbo.
Substitution for Sturm Graz: Jon Gorenc Stankovic comes on for Valmir Matoshi.
Substitution for Rennes: Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal comes on for Bryan Reynolds.
Substitution for Rennes: Eliezer Mayenda comes on for Ludovic Blas.
Attempt missed. Bryan Reynolds from Rennes takes a right-footed shot from a tough angle on the right, but it goes just to the right.
Attempt saved. Valentin Rongier from Rennes has his left-footed shot from outside the box saved.
Valmir Matoshi from Sturm Graz commits a handball.
Mahdi Camara from Rennes has his right-footed shot from the right side of the box blocked.
Arnaud Nordin of Rennes is caught offside.
Substitution for Rennes: Valentin Rongier comes on for Sebastian Szymanski.
Substitution for Rennes: Arnaud Nordin comes on for Mousa Al Tamari.
Foul committed by Arjan Malic of Sturm Graz.
Mahdi Camara from Rennes wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Jacob Hödl from Sturm Graz has a left-footed shot from outside the box that is saved.
Ludovic Blas from Rennes misses a left-footed shot from outside the box, sending the ball to the right. The attempt was assisted by Bryan Reynolds.
Attempt blocked. Sebastian Szymanski from Rennes has a left-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked. Mousa Al Tamari provided the assist.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Luca Weinhandl from Sturm Graz.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Substitution for Sturm Graz: Oumar Diakité comes on for Belmin Beganovic.
Attempt saved. Ludovic Blas from Rennes has a left-footed shot from the right side of the box, but it's saved in the center of the goal by Daniil Khudyakov of Sturm Graz.
Substitution for Sturm Graz: Filip Rózga comes on for Gizo Mamageishvili.
Attempt saved. Estéban Lepaul from Rennes has his right-footed shot from the right side of the box saved in the center of the goal by Daniil Khudyakov of Sturm Graz. The shot was assisted by Sebastian Szymanski.
Attempt missed. Estéban Lepaul (Rennes) has a left-footed shot from the right side of the box that is close, but goes to the right.
Adrien Thomasson's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Luís Balbo from Sturm Graz.
Ludovic Blas from Rennes has a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, but it is blocked.
Attempt saved. Jacob Hödl from Sturm Graz has his right-footed shot from the center of the box saved by Brice Samba of Rennes, who is positioned in the center of the goal. The shot was assisted by Gizo Mamageishvili.
Attempt saved. Brice Samba from Rennes saves a header from Belmin Beganovic of Sturm Graz, who was in the center of the box.
Attempt missed. Estéban Lepaul from Rennes takes a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Attempt missed. Estéban Lepaul from Rennes heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes to the right.
Luís Balbo from Sturm Graz is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Adrien Thomasson from Rennes commits a foul.
Ludovic Blas from Rennes has his long-range right-footed shot blocked.
Adrien Thomasson from Rennes is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Luís Balbo from Sturm Graz receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul committed by Luís Balbo of Sturm Graz.
Mahdi Camara from Rennes is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Luca Weinhandl from Sturm Graz commits a foul.
Estéban Lepaul from Rennes misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it high and wide to the left. The cross was assisted by Mousa Al Tamari.
The second half begins with the score at Sturm Graz 0, Rennes 0.
Substitution for Sturm Graz: Arjan Malic comes on for Albert Vallci.
Valmir Matoshi from Sturm Graz has his left-footed shot from outside the box blocked.
The first half ends with Sturm Graz and Rennes tied at 0-0.
Estéban Lepaul from Rennes is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Charlie Cresswell (Rennes) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Ludovic Blas from Rennes is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Paul-Friedrich Koller of Sturm Graz.
Rennes win a corner after Paul-Friedrich Koller concedes.
Luca Weinhandl from Sturm Graz wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Adrien Thomasson from Rennes commits a foul.
Belmin Beganovic from Sturm Graz commits a handball.
Attempt saved. Luca Weinhandl from Sturm Graz has his right-footed shot from outside the box saved.
VAR is checking the goal scored by Paul-Friedrich Koller for Sturm Graz.
Offside called against Sturm Graz. Paul-Friedrich Koller is caught offside.
Goal! Sturm Graz leads 1-0 against Rennes. Paul-Friedrich Koller scores for Sturm Graz with a header from very close range after a set piece.
Joshua Quarshie from Sturm Graz wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Estéban Lepaul from Rennes commits a foul.
Paul-Friedrich Koller of Sturm Graz is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Ludovic Blas from Rennes commits a foul.
Attempt missed. Ludovic Blas from Rennes takes a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Gizo Mamageishvili from Sturm Graz wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Charlie Cresswell from Rennes commits a foul.
Attempt saved. Estéban Lepaul from Rennes has his right-footed shot from the center of the box saved by Daniil Khudyakov in the center of the goal. The shot was assisted by Mousa Al Tamari's cross.
Attempt missed. Bryan Reynolds from Rennes takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes high and wide to the right. He was assisted by Sebastian Szymanski, who provided a cross after a corner.
Rennes win a corner after Albert Vallci concedes.
Brice Samba from Rennes is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Jacob Hödl of Sturm Graz.
Sturm Graz wins a corner after Bryan Reynolds concedes.
Foul committed by Jacob Hödl of Sturm Graz.
Adrien Thomasson from Rennes wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Charlie Cresswell of Rennes headed the ball from the center of the box, but it went to the right. He was assisted by Sebastian Szymanski with a cross after a set piece situation.
Estéban Lepaul from Rennes misses the attempt with a left-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it high and wide to the left. He was assisted by Charlie Cresswell, who provided a headed pass after a set piece situation.
Sebastian Szymanski from Rennes wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Gizo Mamageishvili of Sturm Graz.
Estéban Lepaul of Rennes is caught offside.
Estéban Lepaul from Rennes is caught offside.
VAR is checking the goal by Adrien Thomasson for Rennes.
Anthony Rouault's header from the center of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Sebastian Szymanski's cross.
Adrien Thomasson from Rennes commits a foul.
Estéban Lepaul's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
Goal! Rennes takes the lead 1-0 against Sturm Graz with Adrien Thomasson scoring from the center of the box with a left-footed shot after a corner.
Rennes win a corner after Albert Vallci concedes.
Mousa Al Tamari from Rennes wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Albert Vallci of Sturm Graz.
Attempt saved. Mahdi Camara from Rennes has a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, but it's saved in the top center of the goal by Daniil Khudyakov from Sturm Graz. The assist came from Charlie Cresswell.
Rennes win a corner after Albert Vallci concedes.
First half begins.
Sturm Graz open their Europa League league-phase campaign at home off the back of a confidence-boosting league win, but face a Rennes side buzzing after beating Marseille. Expect goals at both ends as the Austrian hosts try to disrupt the French visitors' early momentum.
