After losing their opening Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge could ill afford to drop points against Sturm Graz away from home on Wednesday evening. On paper at least, the Austrian champions should be the easiest of their matches in the newly revamped Champions League this season. On the pitch, that also appeared to be the case, although Club would have liked to have scored more than once.
Club, from early on in the match, looked to be comfortable against their Austrian opponents. The side were given plenty of time to build their attacks and looked to get the ball wide to the likes of Christos Tzolis and Andreas Skov Olsen as often as possible. It was through this that they opened the scoring. Raphael Onyedika’s long ball over the top skimmed the head of Scottish defender Max Johnston. Johnston’s inability to get anything on the ball saw it fall to Tzolis, who cut inside and fired a wonderful strike beyond the reaches of the giant Kjell Scherpen in the Sturm Graz goal.
Despite being the away side, Club continued to dominate possession and chances. Simon Mignolet was rarely troubled apart from a brief period to start the second half. Club were wasteful with their chances however. Tzolis had plenty, while Feran Jutgla was snatching at his as he tried to end a goal drought that has now gone on for 16 games.
At half-time Nicky Hayen brought on Michal Skoras for Skov Olsen, but this did little to stop the wide onslaught from the Belgian side. Skoras almost made it 2-0 after 80 minutes, but his shot went agonisingly wide of the post. Following this chance, the home side finally appeared to wake up and apply pressure to the Club Brugge defence.
Next up for Club Brugge is a trip to Milan, while Sturm Graz welcome Sporting. Club will also face Sporting in this seasons competition, following games with Celtic and Aston Villa.
