Red Bull Salzburg keeps title dreams alive with last-minute victory over Austria Wien
With a 2-0 home win over Wiener Austria, Red Bull Salzburg has kept their slim chance of reclaiming the title in the football Bundesliga alive. Late goals from Dorgeles Nene (80th minute) and Petar Ratkov (89th minute) brought a well-deserved victory in a lively duel without major chances and moments, bringing them within four points of leader Sturm with three rounds to go. Sturm will be their opponent next Sunday in Graz.
Salzburg's slim title chance lives after 2-0 over Austria
Austria, of course, does not have to bury their title hopes either, as coach Stephan Helm's team is three points behind Sturm. However, Salzburg remains the absolute nemesis for the Violets. They suffered their fourth defeat in the fourth season match, with their last full success dating back to May 27, 2018.
For Austria, Andreas Gruber and Matteo Perez Vinlöf came into the starting lineup for the suspended duo Maurice Malone and Reinhold Ranftl. At Salzburg, already plagued by injuries, the completely newly formed central defense came into focus. After Samson Baidoo's suspension, a regular full-back, 18-year-old John Mellberg, played in his second starting lineup appearance alongside the equally aged Joane Gadou.
Goal chances on both sides
The youngsters hardly encountered any problems. After a brisk start by both teams, the "Bulls" took command as expected. Austria was hardly able to launch fluid actions under the pressure of the hosts, while Salzburg initially did not create any real chances. It was only around the half-hour mark that the game picked up pace - somewhat surprisingly with a dangerous action from Violet.
Gadou misjudged the high ball from goalie Samuel Sahin-Radlinger, only teamwork from Mads Bidstrup and the composed Mellberg prevented the top chance for Nik Prelec from a few meters (32). Just moments later, on the other side, Alexander Schlager's long clearance saw Abubakr Barry and Perez Vinlöf get in each other's way, and beneficiary Yorbe Vertessen slammed the "hundred percent chance" against the crossbar. Shortly thereafter, a long-range shot from the Belgian whizzed just over the goal (35). Finally, Gruber missed a cross for Austria (35), and his captain Manfred Fischer lifted the ball over the target (36).
Salzburg turned it up in the finish
Vertessen also opened the second half, but his low shot was too direct at Sahin-Radlinger (49). Otherwise, Austria did not allow much, continued to neutralize Salzburg's playmaker Oscar Gloukh, and after a good quarter of an hour, appeared offensively prominent again. A Gruber shot lacked emphasis (63), the recently substituted Lucas Galvao missed the far corner (64), and Fischer only managed to hit the side netting from a very tight angle (70).
In the finish, the hosts intensified their efforts once more and were rewarded for their power play. First, Nene was on the spot from a good 20 meters, and shortly before the end, substitute Ratkov brought about the preliminary decision with a turn. The guests, on the other hand, could no longer set any impulses.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.