Sturm Graz celebrated a fourth consecutive European home win after they edged out Rangers by a 2-1 scoreline in the UEFA Europa League, leaving the Scottish giants pointless in the league phase to only increase the scrutiny on Russell Martin.
A late Max Aarons winner may have got Rangers out of jail in Sunday’s Scottish Premiership clash with Livingston, but Martin was still a coach under pressure ahead of kick-off following a disappointing start to the season.
Martin’s position only got weaker in a disastrous first half, where his side shipped an early opener after losing possession from their own throw-in.
Sturm Graz quickly worked the ball to Tomi Horvat, who fired home to extend Rangers’ wait for a competitive away clean sheet to 22 matches - equalling a club record from the 19th century.
Youssef Chermiti threatened to level the scoreline when he crashed a header against the crossbar, but that ultimately proved to be the visitors’ only moment of promise in the first period, as Sturm Graz continued to create opportunities at will.
As a result, the away side could have few complaints when Otar Kiteishvili doubled the advantage in the 35th minute, sliding a first-time finish under Jack Butland after latching onto Horvat’s inventive free-kick.
After seeing his team outplayed in the first half, Martin introduced Aarons and Bojan Miovski as part of a double change at the break in a bid to swing momentum in the visitors’ favour.
However, rather than one of the substitutes, it was Djeidi Gassama who sparked hopes of a fightback when he danced inside the box and blasted a fierce strike past Oliver Christensen to net his fifth European goal of the season.
The Gers continued to apply pressure on their hosts, and they nearly found the all-important equaliser when Derek Cornelius and John Souttar were denied by Christensen in quick succession.
The Sturm goalkeeper made another crucial intervention to keep out Souttar’s powerful drive and secure his team’s first win of the league phase. As for Rangers, the narrow defeat prolongs the long wait for their first set of back-to-back victories this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Tomi Horvat (Sturm Graz)
