SK Sturm Graz 0:1 Fenerbahçe — Match Report

Gary RedknappFootball AnalystMATCH REPORT

Anderson Talisca's 66th-minute strike earned Fenerbahçe a 1-0 win over SK Sturm Graz in the UEFA Champions League Qualification Round 3, the Turkish side edging a tense first leg in which the Austrian hosts fired 19 shots but could not find a way through. The solitary goal came against the run of play, as Sturm Graz dominated territory and chances throughout the evening, only to be punished by a moment of quality from the visiting midfielder.

The match turned decisively when Talisca, unassisted, broke the deadlock just past the hour mark, silencing a Sturm side that had piled on pressure without reward. Fenerbahçe had weathered an early storm, with Nélson Semedo and Archie Brown both booked before the break as they struggled to contain the hosts' relentless attacks, while Jeyland Mitchell and Kerem Aktürkoğlu saw yellow in a scrappy second half that never quite opened up for the Austrians.

On the numbers, Sturm Graz were the better side, dominating shots 19 to 11 and corners 7 to 6, yet they managed no goals from their efforts. The hosts controlled the first half with 14 attempts but faded after the interval, when Fenerbahçe edged the shot count 6 to 5. Anderson Talisca was the standout, his 7.8 rating and decisive goal from midfield proving the difference. CheckLive's model rated Fenerbahçe the stronger side beforehand, and the result confirmed that call, though Sturm will feel they deserved more from the tie.

Questions & Answers

What was the final score of SK Sturm Graz vs Fenerbahçe?

SK Sturm Graz 0-1 Fenerbahçe (UEFA Champions League, Qualification Round 3).

Who scored?

Anderson Talisca (66') for Fenerbahçe.

Was Fenerbahçe's win deserved?

It was close — an evenly matched game.

Were there any cards in SK Sturm Graz vs Fenerbahçe?

Yellow cards: null (SK Sturm Graz); Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahçe); Archie Brown (Fenerbahçe); Jeyland Mitchell (SK Sturm Graz); Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Fenerbahçe).

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