Sturm Graz host Olympique Marseille in the UEFA Europa League league phase on Thursday, 22 October 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 17:45 BST at the Merkur Arena in Graz, Austria. The matchup brings together a side that opened with a clean sheet and a team that began the competition with a heavy defeat, which gives the contest an early-season edge in the standings.
On matchday one, Sturm Graz picked up a point in a 0-0 home draw with Rennes. It was not a flashy start, but it gave them a solid base in a group where every result can matter. Marseille, by contrast, were beaten 4-1 by Besiktas in their opener, a result that left them chasing from the start in the league phase.
Marseille arrive with questions to answer
Marseille’s broader form has also been a concern. Before their trip to Graz, they had four defeats in their last five across all competitions, although they did steady things with a 2-0 win at Troyes in Ligue 1 just before this Europa League fixture. That result offered a timely boost, but it does not erase the need for a stronger performance in Europe.
Injury issues are another part of the picture for Olympique Marseille. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is ruled out with a thigh problem, while Derek Cornelius is sidelined for the remainder of 2026. Those absences leave Marseille with fewer options as they try to recover from their opening loss and avoid falling further behind in the league phase.
For Sturm Graz, the challenge is straightforward: build on a disciplined opening-night performance and use home advantage at the Merkur Arena. For Marseille, the task is more immediate. They need a response that matches the scale of the occasion, especially after an uneven start to the campaign and two injury setbacks in the squad.
