BOURNEMOUTH BEAT STURM GRAZ IN FIRST HOME EUROPEAN TIE

Bournemouth beat Sturm Graz 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium in their first-ever home European match, according to Sky Sports. Evanilson scored with a first-half header, Rayan added a second with a drive after coming on as a substitute, and Álvaro Rodríguez converted a stoppage-time penalty, according to the Guardian. The result followed a win away at Real Sociedad and comes during a Premier League run in which Bournemouth have not yet recorded a victory, the Guardian reported. Head coach Marco Rose said the win should ease pressure building around his position domestically. Captain Adam Smith, described as Bournemouth's long-serving skipper, said supporters and players had been "up for it", according to the Guardian.

The Guardian reported that a banner in the Steve Fletcher stand read "Minus 17 to European dreams", a reference to the club's rise from the foot of the Football League. Bournemouth's financial backer, Bill Foley, attended the match, the report said. The club is without Eli Junior Kroupi for the season and has lately also missed Alex Scott, with reports suggesting Scott could be sold for £80million in January, according to the Guardian. Rose said his squad showed confidence despite a difficult run of form, adding that playing with the backing of the crowd made the team hard to beat. He also credited Smith with giving a team talk after a 5-1 Premier League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the Guardian reported.

Bournemouth prioritised their Premier League fixture against Sunderland in team selection following the Chelsea defeat, before introducing key players, including Rayan, in the second half against Sturm Graz, according to the Guardian. Rose said the squad depth had proved valuable across a busy run of fixtures. AC Milan are due to visit the Vitality Stadium next week in the Europa League, the Guardian reported.