PSV faces Austrian side Sturm Graz for the first time in history. The club is currently second in the Austrian Bundesliga, seven points below number one Red Bull Salzburg.
Goal scoring machine
The 21-year-old Kelvin Yeboah is Sturm Graz's most treacherous player. He scored seven goals in the Austrian league. The Italian youth international has also scored in the preliminary round for the Europa League. The striker scored a total of 14 goals this season.
Trainer
Sturm Graz's trainer is Christian Ilzer. He played football himself, but had to quit at a young age because of an injury. At seventeen he started as a trainer. He started his career at USK Puch bei Weiz as Under 17 trainer. Later he got different positions as player trainer, assistant trainer, physical trainer and head trainer. Thus, he worked at the clubs: Austria Wien, Wolfsberger AC and TSV Hartberg.
Merkur Arena
Sturm Graz plays at the stadium Merkur Arena. This is located in the south of the city of Graz. The stadium has a total capacity of 16,364 visitors, including 15,322 seats. The stadium was built in 1997.
Few internationals
Sturm Graz has a young team. For example, the average age is less than 24 years old. Many Austrians also play on the team. 73 percent of the players come from their own country. More internationals play in PSV's selection. 78 percent of the selection is not of Dutch origin.
Number two Austrian Bundesliga
The team is doing well in the Austrian Bundesliga. Sturm Graz is in second place. Out of nine matches, the team has won six times, drawn twice and lost once. Below are the results in a row:
- Sturm Graz - Red Bull Salzburg 1-3
- Wolfsberger AC - Sturm Graz 1-4
- Sturm Graz - Altach 3-1
- LASK Linz - Sturm Graz 1-3
- Sturm Graz - Austria Wien 2-2
- Admira - Sturm Graz 1-1
- Sturm Graz - A. Klagenfurt 2-1
- Sturm Graz - WSG Tirol 5-0
- Rapid Wien - Sturm Graz 0-3
Last year, the club finished fourth in the league. The club has been national champion three times so far.
Europa League
The last time Sturm Graz played in the group stage of the Europa League was in season 2011-2012. The team then finished last in the pool. This season the club won in the Europa League Play-Off from NŠ Mura by 5-1. In the first group stage this season, the club lost 1-0 to Monaco.