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Sturm Graz face a mountain to climb in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Bodo/Glimt. After suffering a humiliating 5-0 defeat in Norway, the Austrian side must score at least five without reply to even draw level. Conceding once would make their task virtually impossible, leaving many to believe this fixture may serve more as preparation for their upcoming league match at Grazer’s stadium rather than a realistic chance of advancing.
Sturm Graz: Searching for Damage Control
Domestically, Sturm Graz have made a steady start, collecting six points from their opening three league matches. Their two away wins—3-1 against Ried and 2-0 at LASK Linz—highlight their potential when playing in Austria, but their European campaign has been another story entirely.
The squad has been disrupted by injuries and departures. Defender Alexandar Borkovic, summer signing Axel Kayombo from Basel, and goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov are sidelined. Star midfielder Otar Kiteishvili, who has four league goals this season, featured in the first leg alongside Danish U21 international William Bøving, but neither could prevent the team’s collapse in Norway.
The transfer window has brought mixed fortunes. Amady Camara (Nantes) and Martin Kern (Puskás Academy) both left in early August, while young striker Peter Kiedl moved on loan to Ried. Danish goalkeeper Oliver Christensen, loaned from Fiorentina, endured a nightmare debut in the first leg. On the arrivals side, Sturm brought in emerging talent Tim Oermann from Bayer Leverkusen, but even with reinforcements, the scale of the challenge remains daunting.
Bodo/Glimt: A Team on the Rise
Bodo/Glimt enter the return leg full of confidence, buoyed by their dominance in Norway and recent European performances. Last season, they impressed with a Europa League run that only ended in the semifinals against eventual winners Tottenham. This year, they have their eyes firmly set on making the Champions League group stage.
Their 5-0 victory at home against Sturm Graz all but sealed the tie. Remarkably, four different players found the net in that game, underlining the team’s collective strength. Striker Albert Grønbæk Høgh, with 16 goals and five assists in 19 league matches, continues to be the standout performer. Key figures such as defender Odin Bjørtuft, midfielder Ulrik Saltnes (seven goals, four assists), and Håkon Evjen (two goals, three assists) also contributed heavily.
Bodo/Glimt remain top of the Eliteserien table ahead of Viking and were given the weekend off from domestic duty to focus fully on this tie. Their recruitment strategy has kept them competitive: Sondre Sørli and Elias Hagen departed, while Magnus Antonsen, a promising 19-year-old, joined earlier this month.
Injuries are a factor too, with recent signings Aleesami and winger Maatta joining Blomberg, Gundersen, and Moe on the sidelines. Yet even with absentees, the Norwegians’ squad depth and attacking balance make them heavy favorites to progress.
Tactical Outlook
Sturm Graz are likely to take risks from the start, pushing forward in the hope of an early goal to spark belief. This could leave them exposed at the back, where Bodo/Glimt’s pace and clinical finishing have already proven devastating. The Austrians will lean heavily on Kiteishvili and Bøving to create chances, while hoping Christensen redeems himself after his nightmare in Norway.
Bodo/Glimt, by contrast, can approach the game calmly, focusing on possession and exploiting spaces left behind by Sturm’s aggressive approach. With their multi-pronged attack, they are well-positioned to strike on the counter and add to their aggregate advantage.
Prediction: Norwegians to Seal Qualification
Sturm Graz may aim to restore pride at home, but overturning a five-goal deficit against one of Scandinavia’s most in-form sides looks beyond reach. Bodo/Glimt’s collective strength, current form, and ability to score freely suggest they will not just defend their lead but extend it.
Prediction: Sturm Graz 1:3 Bodo/Glimt
