Sturm Graz edged past Altach 1-0 at the Merkur Arena on Saturday evening, securing three points in the Bundesliga's Regular Season Round 3. The result leaves the hosts fourth on eight points from five games, while Altach remain eleventh with just three from their opening five fixtures.
It was a match where chances were plentiful but ruthlessness was in short supply until the final quarter. Sturm Graz created three big chances but could only convert one, while Altach produced five yet failed to find the net. Shots accuracy tells the story: the hosts managed just 12 per cent from their ten attempts inside the box, while the visitors hit 40 per cent from four on target.
The breakthrough came in the 78th minute when S. Jatta finally made the most of his opportunity. Before that, two potential goals had been waved away by the video assistant referee. S. Jatta's effort was cancelled in the 69th minute, and Seedy Jatta saw his strike ruled out two minutes later. By then, the tension had been building since the first yellow card came at the 36th minute for Lukas Jäger, with Patrick Greil following suit at the 40th minute.
Substitutions began in earnest from the 57th minute when Sturm Graz brought on A. Kayombo, N. Weiper and S. Hrstic. Altach responded at the 72nd minute with Patrick Greil's off, and then made three changes in quick succession at the 82nd minute, bringing on B. Bockle, N. Niehoff and V. Demaku. The final round of alterations came at the 90+2 minute mark when S. Seidl and E. Soglo departed, replaced by J. Hodl and E. Soglo respectively.
Statistically, Sturm Graz dominated possession at 53 per cent and completed 264 passes in the opposition half compared to Altach's 205. The hosts registered 99 attacks and 12 corners, while the visitors managed 75 attacks and seven corners. Altach made more tackles with 29 compared to 16, and cleared their lines 40 times against 30 for the home side. The visitors also created more big chances with five, but could not find the back of the net.
The victory keeps Sturm Graz within touching distance of the teams above them, while Altach's winless run in these fixtures continues. With only three points from five games, the visitors face a difficult task to climb away from the bottom half. The result means Sturm Graz have one foot in a comfortable mid-table position, though they know there is work to do before the season truly begins.