Sturm Graz vs Rennes – News and Probable Lineups

Rennes returns to European participation after a three-year hiatus as they head to Graz for a fixture against Sturm Graz at Stadion Graz Liebenau, seeking to kick off their European journey positively.

This is the first occasion the French club is competing since the format alteration introduced in 2024, and they will aim to find their rhythm against their Austrian rivals.

Match overview

For Sturm Graz, there may be a lingering feeling of regret as they failed to qualify for the league stage of the Champions League.

After returning to the main tournament of Europe’s top club competition in 2024-25 following a 24-year absence, the Blacks were hopeful of similar involvement in 2026-27, but their ambitions were dashed by Fenerbahce, blocking their chances of a second participation within three years.

Now competing in the Europa League, Fabio Ingolitsch is determined for his team to better last season’s outing, which saw the Austrian club eliminated in the league phase, placing 26th.

Two of their eight victories were secured in Graz, where Die Schwoazn triumphed over Rangers with a score of 2-1 and defeated Brann 1-0, sandwiching a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest and a 1-0 defeat to Red Star Belgrade.

In light of their dismal record of 10 matches without an away victory in the group stages of any European competition, including a current streak of nine consecutive losses, it is essential that they achieve positive outcomes before their home crowd.

They will also be hoping that Rennes shows signs of rustiness from their break from continental competitions.

Franck Haise’s squad finished in sixth place, initially securing a spot in the Conference League, but they benefited from Lens’ Coupe de France victory, allowing them to step up to the main stage of the Europa League.

The aim for Les Rennais is to commence their campaign with a positive result in Graz, where their opponents have lost just one competitive game in 2026.

However, that defeat came at the hands of Fenerbahce during their recent continental appearance as home side, and the travelling fans will be hoping for a morale-boosting result on Wednesday as they return to European action.

There is reason for optimism, considering they head into this midweek clash unbeaten this season, having claimed three wins and drawn against Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 across four matches in the top tier of French football.

However, they have only managed one clean sheet so far, making it intriguing to see whether their strategy of outscoring opponents will serve them well this week in Austria.

Team News

Seedy Jatta was substituted after 50 minutes against LASK over the weekend, putting his availability for Wednesday into question.

Injuries will keep Leon Grgic (knee) and Emran Soglo (hamstring) sidelined for the Graz side, while Niklas Geyrhofer, Szymon Wlodarczyk, and Axel Kayombo have not been registered for the league phase squad.

If Jatta is unable to participate, Otar Kiteishvili, who found the net 15 times in the league last season, may need to shoulder the goal-scoring duties against Rennes.

Esteban Lepaul is the primary attacking threat for the visitors, even though the forward who netted 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season has gone two league games without scoring leading up to this fixture.

Regardless, Lepaul is the only player from Rennes to score more than one league goal, highlighting the team’s dependence on their striker.

The French side currently does not have any players out with injuries, allowing Haise to select from his entire squad for the opening matchday.

Sturm Graz probable starting XI:

Khudyakov; Heil, Vallci, Koller, Balbo; Weinhandl, Stankovic; Beganovic, Hodl, Diakite; Kiteishvili

Rennes probable starting XI:

Samba; Frankowski, Cresswell, Rouault, Merlin; Camara, Rongier, Thomasson; Blas, Lepaul, Tamari

While Rennes enters the match as slight favorites due to their unbeaten start to the season, their struggles to maintain clean sheets could grant the hosts a chance.

Accordingly, the Austrian side is anticipated to challenge their French counterparts and secure a hard-earned point in the opening round.