Match report

FK Crvena Zvezda Defeats Sturm Graz 1-0 in Europa League

Sturm Graz
Sturm Graz
0–1
FT
FK Crvena Zvezda
FK Crvena Zvezda
Dec 11, 2025

FK Crvena Zvezda stunned Sturm Graz with a decisive goal from M. Ivanic to secure a crucial 1-0 victory in the UEFA Europa League. Despite several turning points, including VAR interventions and key substitutions, FK Crvena Zvezda maintained composure and held off Sturm's late surge to clinch all three points.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Sturm Graz 0-1 FK Crvena Zvezda
  • • Goal by M. Ivanic (55') assisted by T. Elsnik
  • • Yellow Card for A. Malic of Sturm Graz (11')
  • • Substitution: Bruno Duarte on for M. Arnautovic in 46'
  • • VAR cancelled a goal and penalty decision during the match

Lineups

Sturm Graz

Formation: 4-1-3-2

Starting XI

  • 1 O. Christensen (G)
  • 23 A. Malic (D)
  • 2 J. Mitchell (D)
  • 47 E. Aiwu (D)
  • 17 E. Karic (D)
  • 4 J. Gorenc Stankovic (M)
  • 19 T. Horvat (M)
  • 10 O. Kiteishvili (M)
  • 21 T. Chukwuani (M)
  • 20 S. Jatta (F)
  • 77 M. Malone (F)

Substitutes

  • 40 M. Bignetti
  • 53 D. Khudyakov
  • 11 A. Kayombo
  • 14 K. Bendra
  • 22 J. Beck
  • 25 S. Hierlander
  • 26 B. Beganovic
  • 27 G. Haider
  • 35 N. Geyrhofer
  • 39 L. Weinhandl
  • 43 J. Hodl
  • 46 J. Wolf

FK Crvena Zvezda

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Matheus (G)
  • 66 Seol Young-Woo (D)
  • 13 M. Veljkovic (D)
  • 5 Rodrigo (D)
  • 23 N. Tiknizyan (D)
  • 33 R. Krunic (M)
  • 21 T. Elsnik (M)
  • 20 T. Handel (M)
  • 4 M. Ivanic (M)
  • 7 Milson (M)
  • 89 M. Arnautovic (F)

Substitutes

  • 18 O. Glazer
  • 77 I. Gutesa
  • 6 M. Bajo
  • 10 A. Katai
  • 17 Bruno Duarte
  • 19 A. Damjanovic
  • 22 V. Kostov
  • 24 N. Stankovic
  • 25 S. Lekovic
  • 40 L. Zaric
  • 71 A. Avdic
  • 80 S. Babicka

Timeline

  1. Sturm Graz
    11' Sturm Graz Card · Yellow Card
    A. Malic

    Foul

  2. FK Crvena Zvezda
    16' FK Crvena Zvezda Card · Yellow Card
    M. Arnautovic

    Off the ball foul

  3. FK Crvena Zvezda
    46' FK Crvena Zvezda subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Arnautovic · On: Bruno Duarte
  4. FK Crvena Zvezda
    54' FK Crvena Zvezda Var · Goal cancelled
    Nair Tiknizyan
  5. FK Crvena Zvezda
    55' FK Crvena Zvezda Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Ivanic · Assist: T. Elsnik
  6. Sturm Graz
    66' Sturm Graz subst · Substitution 1
    Off: S. Jatta · On: A. Kayombo
  7. Sturm Graz
    66' Sturm Graz subst · Substitution 2
    Off: T. Chukwuani · On: J. Hodl
  8. FK Crvena Zvezda
    69' FK Crvena Zvezda Card · Yellow Card
    Rodrigo

    Argument

  9. Sturm Graz
    70' Sturm Graz Var · Penalty cancelled
    Tomi Horvat
  10. FK Crvena Zvezda
    78' FK Crvena Zvezda Card · Yellow Card
    Rade Krunić

    Foul

  11. Sturm Graz
    79' Sturm Graz subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Malic · On: K. Bendra
  12. Sturm Graz
    79' Sturm Graz subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Emir Karić · On: S. Hierlander
  13. Sturm Graz
    79' Sturm Graz subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Maurice Malone · On: B. Beganovic
  14. FK Crvena Zvezda
    82' FK Crvena Zvezda subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Milson · On: M. Bajo
  15. FK Crvena Zvezda
    87' FK Crvena Zvezda subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Ivanic · On: A. Katai
  16. Sturm Graz
    89' Sturm Graz Card · Yellow Card
    K. Bendra

    Foul

  17. FK Crvena Zvezda
    90'+5 FK Crvena Zvezda subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Handel · On: V. Kostov
  18. FK Crvena Zvezda
    90'+8 FK Crvena Zvezda Card · Yellow Card
    A. Katai

    Argument

Match Stats

Stat Sturm Graz FK Crvena Zvezda
Fouls 14 21
Pass Accuracy 80% 73%
Offsides 3 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 16 15
Corners 7 5
Total Passes 428 301
Yellow Cards 3 5
Blocked Shots 5 7
Shots on Target 1 2
xG 1.50 1.57
Shots off Target 10 6
Possession 59% 41%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 344 219
Shots Inside Box 10 10
Saves 1 1
Shots Outside Box 6 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ FK Crvena Zvezda's early yellow cards to Arnautovic (16') and Rodrigo (69') put them under pressure but the team responded with a goal from Ivanic (55') following VAR intervention cancelling an earlier own goal.
  • ▸ Sturm Graz made multiple substitutions late in the game, including K. Bendra on for A. Malic (79'), but could not break through FK Crvena Zvezda's disciplined defense.