An impossible dream come true at Vitality, which stages European football, and the Europa League becomes an oasis for Bournemouth. Still winless in the Premier League, but victory at Real Sociedad followed by defeat of Sturm Graz should ease domestic pressure on Marco Rose. A pair of Brazilians secured club history on Gala night, with Evanilson’s first-half header, Ryan’s close-range strike the clincher coming as the Austrian visitors pushed hard for an equaliser. Alvaro Rodriguez’s penalty in injury time added to the celebration.
Flag Day at Vitality. Elvis Presley’s high baritone and Andy Williams’ tenor replacing the usual dance hits signaled a different event. “Bournemouth” has come a long way. “Minus 17 to European dreams” read the banner in the Steve Fletcher stand marking the journey from the foothills of the Football League to a model, continental club.
Rose’s initial team selection suggested the Premier League as a priority, although changes are understandable following Chelsea’s 5-1 defeat. Key players and valuable assets have kept their feet for Sunderland, with both clubs needing to break out of their unnatural Thursday-Sunday rhythm.
Bournemouth’s new manager has spoken about the chaos of English football, particularly the rolling maul-like midfield areas. The importation of the philosophy which had brought success in Germany and Austria hit an internal, if not permanent, barrier. Losing Junior Croup and now Alex Scott so far this season are unfortunate problems for a small squad.
Ben Gannon-Doak, a modern rarity as a right-footed right winger, offered speed as did Evanilson, usually a target man, playing a supporting role to Alvaro Rodríguez.
Overlap off Gannon-Doak, skipper Adam Smith provided the first big chance. Markus Tavernier, cutting in from the left, swung wide. A short time later, a Gannon-Doak pass saw Rodriguez misjudge his flight. The 22-year-old summer signing has only found touch-worthy positions to betray him.
Bournemouth have not struggled to create chances this season; implementation is a separate issue. Graz, fourth in this season’s Österreichische Bundesliga, have hardly shown any ambition, with their back three often turning into five like shells. After a corner in such tight spaces, Bournemouth sent the ball into the net as it looked like an own goal, but Bafode hit Diakite’s goal. Tavernier hit the outside of the post with a long-range shot before Graz finally started to have a little more success. The visiting contingent started to celebrate the penalty, but the official Belmin Beganovic was penalized for a fair tackle by Smith.
For Boscombe’s celebrated first European goal, it was Smith who provided Evanilson’s goal with an angled neck-muscle header. Rose’s team scored a deserved goal in the first half. The scoreline after the break meant Graz were more assertive.
Their fans would have kept singing regardless of the state of the game, which was the continental way, but there was more to cheer them on, Simon Seidl’s shot deflected off Djordje Petrovic’s goal.
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Two of Bournemouth’s mainstays, Tavernier and Lewis Cook, tried to bring the fight back to Grass when the first half appeared to have drained their energy banks. Gannon-Doak got a nail-biter with a fine skill only to block the cross. James Hill, one of the rest, replaced Smith before Graz twice went too close. Jürgen Heil hit the post with his drive and then Jacob-Peter Hödl made a remarkable reflex save from Petrovic on the rebound. The woes of the Premier League, where good play and good chances were not converted, began to show as Graz’s passes became sharper, more confident.
A triple introduction of Ryan, Justin Kluivert and Ryan Christie in the 70th minute was Rose’s successful attempt to both lock down the midfield and increase his team’s attacking threat, even if Christie squandered a chance to score as soon as he came on.
It was up to Ryan to complete the job with a view to following his holiday at La Real. The Russian goalkeeper of “Graz” Daniil Khudyakov first took a corner kick, and then only his weak hand reached the Brazilian’s shot between his legs. Bournemouth’s return home to Europe staged the victory the occasion required.