No points in Salzburg

Austria Vienna suffered a 4–1 defeat away to Red Bull Salzburg to round off the fifth round. An own goal by the Violets in the first half sparked a flurry of goals from the hosts. Manfred Fischer scored Austria’s goal, reducing the deficit to 3–1 after the break.

Following the Conference League play-off against Braga, head coach Stephan Helm brought in fresh faces to the starting line-up for the away match in the city of Mozart. Reinhold Ranftl dropped back a position and, alongside Aleksandar Dragović and Kang Hee Lee, formed a back three in front of goalkeeper Samuel Şahin-Radlinger. On the wings, the two young ‘Veilchen’ players, Daniel Nnodim – who had only extended his contract until summer 2030 a few days earlier – and Matteo Schablas started. In central midfield, two 18-year-olds, Philipp Maybach and Vasilije Marković, were in the starting line-up. Sanel Šaljić, Julian Hettwer and Johannes Eggestein were tasked with providing the necessary threat in attack.

Own goal sparks Salzburg’s spell of pressure

The Veilchen started the match strongly and created their first big chance through Julian Hettwer: the striker met a cross from Nnodim with his thigh, but only hit the post (5’). Shortly afterwards, the hosts equalised in a battle of the woodwork – Veratschnig fired a thunderous long-range shot against the crossbar (10’).

Shortly afterwards, Salzburg took the lead in an unfortunate turn of events for Austria: Vertessen played the ball into the centre, where Kang Hee Lee, in an attempt to clear, scored an own goal – 1–0 (14').

The momentum was now with the hosts, who added to their lead shortly afterwards. Following a cross from Veratschnig, former ‘Veilchen’ player Haris Tabaković broke through and headed home to make it 2–0 (19').

With a two-goal lead to fall back on, Salzburg controlled the game and extended their lead after around half an hour. Mazurek scored with an unstoppable long-range shot to make it 3–0 (31'). Nothing else happened until the half-time whistle.

Fischer pulls one back, Salzburg score again

Stephan Helm responded to the disappointing first half by making two substitutions: Florian Wustinger and Manfred Fischer came on for Julian Hettwer and Sanel Šaljić. The Violets then got off to a flying start in the second half. It was, of all things, a combination between the two substitutes who had just come on for the Violets that led to the goal: following a long throw-in from Matteo Schablas, Florian Wustinger found captain Manfred Fischer in the scramble, who finished coolly with his left foot – 3–1 (46’).

Salzburg’s response, however, was not long in coming. Samuel Şahin-Radlinger was on hand in a one-on-one situation with Aboubacar Camara to save the day (49’). Shortly afterwards, Camara once again slipped past the Violet defence following a counter-attack and delivered a pinpoint cross onto Vertessen’s head, who made it 4–1 (55’).

Helm’s side now played more attacking football and created further chances. Marković stole the ball from Boma, but failed to beat Zawieschitzky in the ensuing one-on-one (60’). After that, the match lost some of its momentum. Camara narrowly missed the far corner (84’), before Manfred Fischer tried his luck with a powerful long-range shot from around 20 metres; Zawieschitzky parried it away for a corner (85’). In stoppage time, Camara squandered another chance (90+1).

The score remained 4–1. Austria must therefore make the journey home from Salzburg with a defeat.

Red Bull Salzburg – Austria Vienna 4–1 (3–0)

Salzburg: Zawieschitzky – Veratschnig (65’ Morgalla), Boma (80’ Mellberg), Drexler, Schmid – Barry, Mazurek (74’ Tohumcu) – Redzić (64’ Baidoo), Kitano, Vertessen – Tabaković (46’ Camara)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger – Ranftl (c), Dragović (68’ Handl), Kang Hee Lee – Nnodim (82’ Feddersen), Maybach, Marković, Schablas – Hettwer (46’ Wustinger), Šaljić (46’ Fischer), Eggestein (64’ Boateng)

Goals: Kang Hee Lee (own goal, 13'), Tabaković (19'), Mazurek (31'), Vertessen (55'); Fischer (47')

Bookings: Schmid (39'), Schablas (90+3')

Red Bull Arena, referee Walter Altmann, attendance: 10,831