A closer look at SK Sturm Graz, a decent side but one with a poor away record in European football, much like ourselves…
When Celtic welcome SK Sturm Graz to Celtic Park tonight, they’ll face one of Austria’s most disciplined and upwardly mobile sides, a team built on structure, alongside a strong team ethic…
Sturm may not have the glamour or reputation of Europe’s heavyweight teams, but they’ve quietly developed into a side that punches its weight in domestic competition, alongside being strong at home but patchy away, in European competition this season.
Domestically, Sturm Graz are the Austrian champions and have started their Austrian Bundesliga campaign strongly this season too, sitting top of the table, three points clear of RB Salzburg, who they have already beaten this season, having played a game less, and showing some signs of late of the consistency that carried them to last season’s title win. Across nine domestic games they have won seven, but already they have also suffered two defeats, albeit both were at the start of the season.
They’ve also built a reputation for being difficult to break down, grinding out results even when they aren’t at their fluent best. Their defensive numbers tell part of the story, few sides in Austria concede fewer chances or goals, but the real foundation of their success lies in their discipline without the ball.
In European competition this season Sturm exited the Champions League Play-off 6-2 on aggregate to Bodo Glimt, winning 2-1 at home following a 5-0 loss away. So, like Celtic they dropped into the Europa League, where they lost 2-0 to FC Midtjylland away, and defeated theRangers 2-1 at home prior to tonight’s visit to Glasgow.
Under coach Jürgen Säumel, Sturm have developed a clear identity, compact, narrow, and relentless in transition. It’s a style that suits both the rhythm of Austrian football and the intensity of European competition, where moments of control are fleeting and fine margins decide games. Säumel’s team thrive on those margins.
Säumel has generally favoured a narrow 4-1-2-1-2 system this season, the classic diamond midfield that crowds central areas and gives his side a firm grip on possession through the spine of his team.
In that structure, the single holding midfielder protects the defence, two energetic shuttlers press high and wide when needed, and a creative No.10, usually Otar Kiteishvili, links play between the lines. The front two stay close together, ready to press from the front or combine quickly in attack.
At times, especially against stronger opposition, Säumel has shifted to a 4-2-3-1, giving the side more width and allowing one winger to stay higher up the pitch to stretch play. That tweak often appears in European matches, where Sturm are less likely to dominate possession and more likely to spring forward on the counter, so there is every chance we may see that approach at Celtic Park tonight. It’s perhaps a subtle adjustment, but also one that shows how adaptable this group is.
What Celtic can expect tonight is a team that sits compactly in the middle third, forces opponents wide, and then closes down crossing lanes very aggressively. When Sturm win the ball, they move forward with purpose, and with two or three passes they’re in behind quickly. Their transitions are sharp and vertical, designed to punish any opposition hesitation.
In the Austrian Bundesliga, Sturm usually dictate games. They build patiently from the back, draw opponents out, and rely on midfield rotations to find passing angles through congested areas. In Europe, however, Säumel has learned to be a wee bit more pragmatic. Against higher-quality opponents, he prefers a slightly deeper block and more direct attacking sequences.
That difference in approach was clear in their 2–1 win at home to theRangers earlier in the Europa League group stage. In that match, Sturm pressed high early on to unsettle the Ibrox club, took their chances ruthlessly, and then managed the game with maturity.
They may not have had the majority of the ball, but they had the better chances, a perfect example of their European mindset. Celtic should expect a similarly balanced plan with some bursts of aggression combined with long spells of organisation and patience.
Jürgen Säumel’s influence on this side cannot be overstated. A former Austria international who captained Sturm as a player, he returned to the club as part of its coaching structure before taking over as head coach. His deep understanding of the club’s culture, and of Austrian football’s nuances, has shaped the current project. RB Salzburg had long dominated Austrian football. Now Sturm Graz have flipped that entirely.
Säumel is not a headline-chasing tactician. Instead, he’s pragmatic when required, analytical, and insistent on unity. Those who’ve worked with him describe his sessions as meticulous, with emphasis on spacing, defensive triggers, and game management. In short, it seems he’s built a side in his own image, as Sturm Graz are disciplined, combative, and unafraid of big occasions.
Three players to watch
Otar Kiteishvili – The Georgian international playmaker is the heartbeat of this team. Operating as the No.10, he glides between lines, times his late runs beautifully, and has a calmness in front of goal that makes him deadly when chances come. He’s been Sturm’s top scorer this season and is often the difference-maker in tight matches. If Celtic allow him space, he’ll exploit it.
Tomi Horvat – Usually starting on the right or drifting inside as an advanced midfielder, Horvat gives Sturm energy and pressing power. His work rate is exceptional, but he’s also capable of producing quality in the final third, his goal and assist against Rangers showcased his knack for big moments. He’s the type of player who never stops running and will test Celtic’s left side all night. This goal against Spurs highlights just what Celtic will have to watch.
Maurice Malone – The man likely to lead the line tonight, Malone has quickly become a focal point in Sturm Graz’s attack. After a successful loan spell at Austria Wien from FC Basel, the Vienna club exercised their option to buy him permanently in May 2025, reportedly for around €1.2 million. Surprisingly, in early September, he made another move, this time to Sturm Graz. Both clubs agreed not to disclose the transfer fee. The quick turnaround surprised many, but Sturm saw an opportunity to secure a proven Bundesliga forward entering his prime.
The former German Under 21 international offers a blend of pace, pressing intensity, and clever movement. He’s not an old-fashioned target man, instead, he drifts into the channels, links play intelligently, and looks to exploit space behind defenders.
Malone’s work rate sets the tone for Sturm’s front press, and his sharpness inside the box makes him a real threat if Celtic’s back line switches off. He may not have the biggest name, but his knack for arriving in the right place at the right time has already made him a key figure in Säumel’s setup.
Sturm Graz won’t come to Celtic Park to admire the atmosphere and hope for the best. They’ll come organised, compact, and determined to frustrate. Expect them to press selectively, particularly when Celtic try to play out from the back, and then drop into a tight defensive block that dares Celtic to find gaps through the middle. They’ll be dangerous from set pieces too, with several players capable of attacking deliveries aggressively.
The key for Celtic will be tempo and width. So whilst fans may wish to see Celtic change formation, it is possible Brendan Rodgers will hold fire until after tonight. The Austrians thrive when games get congested and scrappy, but they can struggle when forced to defend wide areas repeatedly. Celtic’s wingers and full-backs will need to stretch the play and test that narrow defensive shape.
This is a different kind of European opponent, certainly not a glamorous name, but a highly capable, well-drilled side who are clearly confident they belong at this level. Sturm Graz combine Austrian efficiency with European inconsistency, away from home at least, so they’ll see Celtic Park as an opportunity to improve European form on the road.
If Celtic underestimate them, we could be in for a long night. If however, we match Sturm’s intensity and keep the tempo high, Celtic have every chance of imposing themselves. Either way, tonight will be a test of concentration as much as it will be of quality.
Niall J
Celtic in the Thirties in Two Volumes – Brilliantly researched and written by Matt Corr. An unmissable addition to any Celtic bookshelf. Click on the image below to order your copies…
Well, Niall, you called this one correctly. You were bang on the money. They (Sturm Graz) were organised, compact and patient and were difficult to break down. They tried to capitalise on their goal, against the run of play, by trying to grind out a result.
Unfortunately, for them, they came up against a determined Celtic who never let the early goal get them down. An aggressive Celtic, dangerous in attack, and a Celtic playing with heart, just as we demand.
Have to say though, some will say their goal was a cracker. But as far as i’m concerned it reinforces my belief that Schmeichel should not be our first choice keeper. Sinisalo should be our No1 as far as i’m concerned.
Next up is a far more important game against Hearts, one that will show if our season has truly started or if last nights win was just a blimp, a one off?
I also think Rodgers should be bringing in young Osman to the squad for that game and introduce him into the play at some point or start with him on the field. We need to go at Hearts with the same gritty fight we witnessed last night, including as many fast players as possible. Let Hearts witness what it really takes to be Scottish champions.
I’m more excited about that game than i was about last nights. Roll on 12 o’clock Sunday.