Wednesday night is set to witness a showdown between the champions of Austria and France as Sturm Graz and Paris Saint-Germain go head-to-head at 28 Black Arena for a pre-season friendly contest.
Die Schwoazn have already participated in two competitive matches at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, whereas Les Parisiens are still gearing up for their upcoming campaign.
Match preview:
Having struggled to make it to the Champions League group stage through the qualifying rounds in recent times, Sturm Graz’s Bundesliga triumph in 2024 has secured them a place in the revamped league phase of UEFA’s prestigious club competition, guaranteeing a minimum of eight matches on the grandest of continental stages.
Assuming the managerial role at Die Schwoazn in July 2020 following the hiatus due to the global pandemic, Christian Ilzer has evolved as a coach alongside his squad, boasting an impressive record of 97 wins out of 177 matches in charge of the Austrian champions, with only 42 losses.
In preparation for a demanding season ahead both domestically and in Europe, Sturm Graz made significant moves in the summer transfer window by acquiring the services of Arsenal striker Mika Biereth, who netted nine goals in 21 appearances for the club during a loan stint in the previous season.
After securing their third consecutive Ligue 1 title in the previous campaign – the 12th league triumph in the club’s history – PSG are getting ready for a new chapter in the French capital following the departure of superstar Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid.
Team News:
Last seen in action during the Coupe de France final against Lyon on May 25, Les Parisiens will face their first pre-season test this summer on Wednesday night in Austria, aiming to enhance their fitness levels ahead of the league opener against Le Havre on August 16.
PSG will be eager to avoid a repeat of their previous encounter with Sturm Graz in a pre-season friendly back in 2013, where goals from Robert Beric, Marco Djuricin, and Nikola Vujadinovic led to a surprising 3-1 victory for Die Schwoazn.