Austria Wien and Red Bull Salzburg part with a draw

Patson Daka scored the 0-1 early on, Christoph Monschein equalized after the break. Daka again provided Salzburg with the lead before Erik Palmer-Brown scored the 2-2 just before the end.

After the results of the other games of the 20^th round, Austria Wien could not lose against Salzburg to maintain the chance for a spot in the championship group. Coach Christian Ilzer made two changes after the 2-2 in Altach: Alexandar Borković replaced Jimmy Jeggo in the defensive midfield, Benedikt Pichler started on the right wing instead of Caner Cavlan.

Red Bull Salzburg were trying to do better after two consecutive losses, coach Jesse Marsch changed his team on four positions. Albert Vallci, Mohamed Camara, Majeed Ashimeru and Mergim Berisha were new to the starting line-up.

Early lead for Salzburg

Austria Wien had the first chance of the game (4’) through Benedikt Pickler after an assist by Alexander Grünwald, but the guests from Salzburg scored the early lead. After a cross by Albert Vallci, Patson Daka took the ball with his chest and gave Patrick Pentz no chance (7’).

Benedikt Pichler extended a throw-in by Andreas Poulsen, a Salzburg defender cleared before Alex Grünwald (18’). A header by Erik Palmer-Brown after a corner kick by Manprit Sarkaria was too weak (27’). Christoph Monschein used Grünwald ideally with the heel, the captain's shot was defused by Cican Stanković (31’). Monschein also failed after a corner by Dominik Fitz on Salzburg’s goalkeeper (37’). The goalgetter had another top chance shortly before the break, but the ball went past the goal after Borković's assist (45’).

Michael Madl and Alexander Grünwald saw yellow in the first half and will miss the game against Sturm Graz next week.

Exciting second half

The ‘Violets’ also tried to equalize after the change of sides. Alexander Grünwald tried twice from a distance, Stanković deflected a ball, the second attempt went over the goal (46’, 47’). Dominik Fitz came one step too late after a cross by Florian Klein (48’). Sarkaria shot from about 20 meters, Stanković fished the ball out of the corner (52’). A finish by Grünwald narrowly missed the right pole (53’) - Austria Wien generated opportunities every minute.

After that, the champions became dangerous again. Masaya Okugawa spoiled a shot out of a turn, Patrick Pentz parried a shot by substitute Dominik Szoboszlai, Andreas Ulmer put the follow-up shot next to the goal (57’, 62’). The deserved equalization fell in the 67^th minute: After preparatory work by Manprit Sarkaria and Dominik Fitz, Christoph Monschein fired the ball under the crossbar - 1-1, our top striker's 15^th goal of the season.

Patrick Pentz fended off a shot by Mohamed Camara (69’) before Patson Daka scored for Salzburg’s renewed lead (70’).

Ilzer reacted and brought two fresh offensive forces with Patrick Wimmer and Maximilian Sax. Benedikt Pichler and Alex Grünwald left the field after strong performances. Thomas Ebner for Michael Madl was Austria Wien’s last change. The offensive efforts were rewarded, Erik Palmer-Brown scored after a corner by Dominik Fitz – 2-2 (89’). Another finish by the central defender missed the goal (90’+3’) and thus an exciting game ended with 2-2. Six points behind with two rounds to go - a small chance for the champions group remains.

FK Austria Wien - FC Red Bull Salzburg 2-2 (0-1)

Austria Wien: Pentz; Klein, Palmer-Brown, Madl (83’ Ebner), Poulsen; Borković, Grünwald (79’ Sax); Pichler (75’ Wimmer), Fitz, Sarkaria; Monschein

Salzburg: Stanković; Vallci, Onguéné, Wöber, Ulmer; Okugawa (59’ Szoboszlai), Camara, Ashimeru; Daka, Berisha (90’+1’ Koita), Hwang (74’ Farkas)

Goals: Monschein (67’), Palmer-Brown (89’); Daka (7’, 70’)

Yellow cards: Madl (20’), Grünwald (30’); Vallci (20’), Camara (44’), Ashimeru (77’)

Generali-Arena, referee Dieter Muckenhammer, 8,115 spectators