Slovan Bratislava will host Sturm Graz in the Round of 16 of the Europa Conference League on Thursday. The visitors, acquired an edge with a commanding performance in Austria last week. They travel with a 4-1 lead to defend.
Preview (Slovan Bratislava vs. Sturm Graz)
After a crushing loss on the road in the first leg of their two-leg playoff match, Slovan Bratislava will be looking to bounce back on Thursday to secure a spot in the Europa Conference League round of 16. In Europe’s secondary tournament, they couldn’t beat Lille to win its group. They achieved two wins against KI Klaksvik and a 1-0 victory away at NK Olimpija Ljubljana. Their 10 points were enough to secure second place and a knockout spot.
That resulted in a playoff draw with Sturm Graz, and although Gerson Rodrigues pulled the Belasi even within the first ten minutes of the first leg in Austria last Thursday, the hosts took the lead again before halftime and extended their lead to three goals in the second half. Thanks to goals from Jan Jankucka, Nino Marcelli, and a brace from Rodrigues, Vladimir Weiss’s team was able to bounce back from that defeat over the weekend and defeat Zlate Moravce 4-1 at home on Sunday to take a 12-point lead at the top of the Slovak Super Liga.
With their chances of making it to the Europa Conference League final-16 appearing slim, Slovan Bratislava is now refocusing on their European aspirations. On Thursday, they will attempt to overcome a three-goal deficit at home and advance against the odds. Their opponents, meanwhile, head to Slovakia hoping to finish the job after winning the match last Thursday at home. After finishing third in their Europa League group and losing to Rakow Czestochowa on goal differential despite winning four of their six games, Sturm Graz qualified for the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Team News
Vladimir Weiss, the Slovan Bratislava manager, will serve a ban after getting sent off in the first leg. He won’t be available to play on Thursday. With two goals in his first two games for the team after joining on loan from Dynamo Kyiv, Gerson Rodrigues will lead the attack once more. David Strelec has scored ten goals this season. He will also continue to be a vital player out wide as he replaces top scorer Aleksandar Cavric. Kenan Bajric and Kevin Wimmer will continue to work together as the back four’s core. Veterans Juraj Kucka and Baba Kankava will undoubtedly maintain their positions in the engine room.
Sturm Graz might start with the same lineup as they did in their thrilling home leg last week. Amady Camara will be looking to score right away following his goal from the bench in that 4-1 victory. Alternatively, Mika Biereth, an Arsenal loanee who has scored twice in his four appearances for the team so far, might once again lead the line. With help from Otar Kiteishvili and Manprit Sarkaria, he will have plenty of choices. William Boving and Szymon Wlodarczyk are also vying for slots. Elsewere’s regulars in the engine room are Tomi Horvat and Jon Gorenc Stankovic, while David Affengruber, Gregory Wuthrich, and Dimitri Lavalee might once more form a back three.
Slovan Bratislava 2-3 Sturm Graz
For more football previews, click here
