Midtjylland open Europa League campaign with 2-0 win over Sturm Graz
HERNING, Denmark – An own goal from SK Sturm Graz goalkeeper Oliver Christensen and a late strike by Ousmane Diao gave Midtjylland a 2-0 home victory on Thursday in their UEFA Europa League group opener, marking the Danish side’s first matchday one win in the competition for 10 years.
The breakthrough came after just seven minutes at the MCH Arena when Franculino Djú’s corner was diverted into his own net by Christensen, who is on loan from Fiorentina. A lengthy VAR check for a foul on the keeper eventually confirmed the goal.
Sturm Graz threatened an equaliser midway through the first half, but Elías Rafn Ólafsson raced out to block Maurice Malone’s effort before later denying Tochi Chukwuani to preserve Midtjylland’s advantage at the break.
The Austrian champions stayed in contention thanks to a string of saves from Christensen, who twice kept out Djú and also parried Philip Billing’s strike early in the second half. Djú thought he had doubled the lead shortly after the hour, only to see his finish ruled out for offside.
Midtjylland finally sealed the result in the 89th minute when Diao’s glancing header slipped past Christensen. The win gives the Danes a platform to build on after last season’s run to the knockout play-offs, while Sturm Graz have now lost six straight European away fixtures.