Sturm Graz 2023/24: How a dead ball specialist’s precise delivery can elevate your set-play game – set-piece analysis

Sturm Graz have already scored 15 set play goals in the Austrian Bundesliga this season so far, making up 42% of their total goal tally thus far, which has left them within two points of league leaders RB Salzburg. They are also currently in the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League, although a 3-0 loss to Ligue 1 side Lille is likely too high a deficit to overturn.

After a deeper dive into the Austrian sides set plays, it appears that although they have a very strong record from set pieces, it is reliant on who the taker is.

From only 25 corners taken this season by Tomi Horvat, Sturm Graz have been able to score four goals, win a penalty, and create six other high-quality headed chances inside the six-yard box. 44% of Horvats corner kicks have led to high-quality chances or goals.

In comparison, the remaining 150~ corners have been taken by various other players. Three of these corners have resulted in goals, while three were also scored in the resulting second phase. Furthermore, a very limited number of other chances were generated inside the six-yard box, which has been Sturm Grazs aim. Only 2% of corner kicks taken by others led to high-quality chances.

This shows that while Sturm Graz are a strong set-play side, they are 22x more threatening from corner kicks when Horvat is lining up due to his excellent technique when striking the ball.

In this tactical analysis, we will look into the tactics behind Sturm Grazs corner kicks, with an in-depth analysis of how they are able to access the near side of the six-yard box. This set-piece analysis will also look into the different ways they have used to create additional space in the six-yard box and what could be done differently to ensure they remain a threat even when Horvat is not lining up to take the set play.

Attacking The Near Post

The intent from Sturm Graz is to make the first contact at the near side of the six-yard box. While it might not be easy to consistently deliver the ball into this area, the benefits teams can reap are enormous, and it is worth the risk for Sturm Graz. With Horvat, it is possible to ensure the ball can access this area, which is highlighted in the picture below. The ball usually has to clear the nearest defender before dipping down at the near side of the six-yard box. Through excellent timing, only one player needs to make the move into the highlighted area, with the confidence in Horvat that the ball will go exactly where planned.

The starting position is extremely important to the success of the arrival into the target zone. As we can see, the area that Sturm Graz are targeting is exceptionally tight, but with their use of starting positions in the blindside, attackers can arrive in the limited space unmarked. The attackers move into the target area from the back half of the six-yard box. Defenders must remain goalside to prevent an easy header on goal, but in doing so, the path to run into the near side of the six-yard box opens up for the Sturm Graz attackers.

The timing of the run is vital and something that the Austrian side clearly has worked on. With the space being so minimal, the zonal defenders who spot an attacking run across them will instantly be able to step up and challenge for the ball. This means that the incoming attackers only have a split second, where they can be in the target area and unopposed. Sturm Graz have done excellent work in ensuring they arrive in the space at the same time as the ball does, to ensure the attacker can attack the ball without any opposition competition.