Florian Wirtz Liverpool FC klatscht mit Hugo Ekitike Liverpool FC nach dem Tor ab - Frankfurt 22.10.2025: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FC Liverpool, Deutsche Bank Park, UEFA Champions League *** Florian Wirtz Liverpool FC claps with Hugo Ekitike Liverpool FC after the goal Frankfurt 22 10 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool FC, Deutsche Bank Park, UEFA Champions League
Sturm Graz are taking extraordinary measures to prevent Hearts from gathering any tactical intelligence ahead of their upcoming Champions League qualifying showdown.
The Austrian club will play their final pre-competitive friendly against Polish side Pogon Szczecin entirely behind closed doors, with no streaming permitted.
Neither club will be allowed to broadcast the match, ensuring that Hearts have no opportunity to observe Sturm’s preparations before the first leg.
The two sides meet in the second qualifying round, with the first leg scheduled for next week in what promises to be a high-stakes European encounter.
Sturm have gone even further in their preparations by recalling Bosnian World Cup star Arjan Malic early from his post-tournament holiday to ensure he is available.
The key defender had been given time off following the World Cup but was summoned back by the club ahead of the crucial qualifying tie against Wouter Vrancken’s side.
Boss Fabio Ingolitsch confirmed the decision, saying: “Arjan has been back since Monday. He had ten days of holiday after the World Cup, which unfortunately is a bit too short.”
Ingolitsch made clear that Malic’s presence was simply too important to wait, adding: “But we have an important game next week and we definitely want him with us.”
The Austrian coach also confirmed that Georgian midfielder Otar Kiteishvili has returned to full training and will feature in the friendly against Pogon Szczecin.
Ingolitsch said: “That’s why we called him back early. We also have Otar Kiteishvili back in full training and he will play a part.”
The Sturm coach was direct about his intentions for the closed-doors game, insisting the squad would not be treated as a low-stakes run-out for fringe players.
Ingolitsch said: “Everyone will get playing time. But we won’t be mixing things up – we will put together a team from the start who are ready for our first competitive matches.”
Hearts, who finished as Scottish Premiership runners-up, will head into the tie with limited knowledge of exactly where Sturm currently stand in terms of form and fitness.
The blackout strategy signals just how seriously Sturm Graz are treating this tie and how determined they are to gain every possible competitive advantage.
About the Author
