A bitter déjà vu in Salzburg: Violets lose 1–3

Just as they had done last Sunday at the Generali Arena, Austria were once again defeated 1–3 by Red Bull Salzburg in the return leg. In a match that resembled the first leg in many respects, the injury-hit Violets found themselves 0–2 down once again following an early double strike. Reinhold Ranftl’s goal just before half-time raised hopes of a comeback, but despite a strong spell after the break and good chances to equalise, the reward failed to materialise. An unfortunate own goal by Tin Plavotić in the closing stages ultimately sealed a second bitter defeat against the Mozartstadt side within just three days.

In addition to Johannes Eggestein, head coach Stephan Helm was also without Abubakr Barry in Salzburg, who was unable to play due to a minor adductor injury. Kang Hee Lee and the now fit Philipp Maybach formed the central midfield, Manfred Fischer moved up a position, and Sanel Šaljić was brought on from the bench to provide a boost as the game progressed. 18-year-old Daniel Nnodim from the Young Violets was named in the first-team squad for the first time.

Red Bull Salzburg coach Daniel Beichler made just one change to his starting line-up, with Tim Trummer replacing the suspended Stefan Lainer at right-back.

Early double strike from the Bulls – Ranftl offered hope

Austria started the opening minutes boldly, but then dropped back into a compact block and waited for counter-attacking opportunities through Kelvin Boateng. Kerim Alajbegović had the first shot on goal, but it posed no problems for Samuel Şahin-Radlinger (11'). Yorbe Vertessen did better a few minutes later, with the Belgian putting Salzburg ahead (16). Following a corner from Maurits Kjaergaard, Jannik Schuster headed home to make it 2-0 (22’) – once again, the Violets found themselves chasing an early two-goal deficit against the Bulls.

Mads Bidstrup shot over the bar (33’), and in the counter-attack, the numerous travelling Austria fans were given cause to cheer. Boateng controlled a long pass from Maybach well, Manni Fischer set up Reinhold Ranftl perfectly, who in turn gave Alexander Schlager in the Salzburg goal no chance – the goal to make it 2-1 in the 34th minute.  

Austria managed to stabilise themselves before the break, going into the dressing rooms trailing by a narrow margin.

Austria had chances to equalise, but hit the wrong goal

The first shot of the second half came from Kjaergaard, but the ball went just wide (48'). In the 50th minute, Austria had a huge chance to equalise: Vasilije Marković won the ball at the corner flag, and Ranftl crossed into the middle. Schlager parried Fischer’s powerful header with a superb reflex save, and the follow-up shot went over the bar. In the next move, the Violets were lucky: after a superb save by Şahin-Radlinger from Karim Konaté, Kjaergaard found himself facing an open goal but could only hit the crossbar (51'). For the Viennese, Taeseok Lee hammered the ball over the bar with a volley following a cross from Fischer (59')

Just under an hour in, Stephan Helm responded with a triple substitution: Tin Plavotić, Florian Wustinger and Sanel Šaljić came on for Johannes Handl, Philipp Maybach and Vasilije Marković. A cross from Taeseok Lee sent Ranftl through on goal, but Boateng was offside (65). A goal by Kjaergaard was disallowed for a handball by Vertessen, but just seconds later Şahin-Radlinger let a back pass from Plavotić slip through – 3-1 to Salzburg (76').

Frans Krätzig hit the crossbar, but the goal would likely not have counted as the ball had previously gone out of play (79'). Matteo Schablas came on for Taeseok Lee, while Abdoulaye Kanté replaced Kelvin Boateng. Wustinger shot wide (90+2'), and the score remained unchanged. Austria lost 1-3 to Red Bull Salzburg once again.

Red Bull Salzburg - Austria Wien 3-1 (2-1)

Salzburg: Schlager; Trummer, Schuster, Drexler, Krätzig (80. Terzic); Kitano, Bidstrup, Kjaergaard (87. Diabaté); Vertessen (80. Aguilar), Konaté (73. Onisiwo), Alajbegović (72. Yeo)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Handl (59. Plavotić), Dragović, Wiesinger; Ranftl, Maybach (59. Wustinger), Kang Hee Lee, Taeseok Lee (80. Schablas); Fischer, Boateng (82. Kanté), Marković (59. Šaljić)

Goals: Vertessen (16'), Schuster (22'), Plavotić (76', own goal); Ranftl (34')

Yellow cards: Kjaergaard (7'), Alajbegović (72'); Maybach (41'), Kang Hee Lee (78'), Plavotić (90')

Red Bull Arena, referee Harald Lechner, 7,154 spectators