Red Bull Salzburg is historically weak this season. Is entry into the championship group now shaky?
Salzburg lost against LASK 1:2.
Andreas Schaad – FC Red Bull Salzburg
The crisis of FC Red Bull Salzburg got worse again on Saturday. The 1:2 defeat against SHOT marked the fourth league game without a win in a row and the first home defeat in the highest Austrian league since October 21, 2023. Back then, too, the former series champion was inferior to the athletes from the Upper Austrian capital.
Bundesliga – 14th matchday
“The defeat really hurts,” said coach Pepijn Linders, who was now under even greater pressure. After the end of the game, Salzburg were farewelled with whistles. From a playing perspective, Lijnders didn’t want to accept any accusations. “We were completely in control until the 1-1 draw, we were so dominant and created a lot of chances,” analyzed the Dutchman. “But it’s the case in football that if you don’t make it 2-0 or 3-0, it remains exciting. You have to be really critical today, and I’m also very disappointed that we didn’t win the game for ourselves early on decided.”
The bottom line is that Salzburg has had a historically weak start to the season. After twelve rounds played, Alexander Schlager and Co. only have 18 points – never since the beginning of the Red Bull era have there been fewer. The gap to league leaders Sturm Graz, who celebrated a 7-0 home win over Austria Klagenfurt on Saturdayis already 14 points with two games less. Even a place in the championship group does not seem to be guaranteed given the current form curve.
Schopp wasn’t happy either
As a result of the defeat, the now fifth-placed Lijnders team was overtaken by LASK. “It’s not a given to win in Salzburg, it shows good morale. At the end of the day it was an effort of will,” said coach Markus Schopp, who was anything but satisfied with his players’ performance despite the success. “We were too passive against the ball and in duels and didn’t find enough solutions. Things could be much, much better.”
“You often don’t win games like this, we didn’t get to the point where you can create chances,” said Schopp, particularly in his own possession of the ball. The 50-year-old was only satisfied with the attitude: “But at least the team believed in victory until the end. The mentality is right, but that’s it.”
Considering the competitive nature of the Austrian Bundesliga, could Salzburg’s struggles open the door for other teams like LASK to challenge for the title this season?
## Red Bull Salzbug’s Struggles: A Crisis of Form?
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re dissecting the recent struggles of FC Red Bull Salzburg, a team historically known for their dominance in Austrian football. Joining us are two esteemed guests: [Guest 1 name and credentials, e.g., former Austrian footballer, sports commentator], and [Guest 2 name and credentials, e.g., football analyst specializing in Austrian Bundesliga]. Let’s dive into this fascinating topic.
**Section 1: Uncharacteristic Slump**
* **Interviewer:** Gentlemen, Salzburg’s recent form has been perplexing to many. Four league games without a win, including their first home defeat since October, is hardly the norm for this club. What factors do you attribute to this surprising slump?
* **Guest 1:**
* **Guest 2:**
**Section 2: The Pressure Cooker**
* **Interviewer:** Salzburg’s coach, Pepijn Lijnders, is undoubtedly under pressure. How much of the blame do you think rests on his shoulders, and what challenges is he facing in navigating this difficult period?
* **Guest 1:**
* **Guest 2:**
**Section 3: A Shaky Future?**
* **Interviewer:** Historically, Salzburg has been a force to be reckoned with, consistently securing a place in the championship group. Does their current trajectory jeopardizes this tradition? What needs to change for them to climb back into contention?
* **Guest 1:**
* **Guest 2:**
**Section 4: LASK’s Rise**
* **Interviewer:** While Salzburg faltered, LASK clinched a crucial victory, displaying admirable grit and determination. [Guest 2], you mentioned coach Markus Schopp’s dissatisfaction with LASK’s performance, despite the win. Can you elaborate on what aspects of their game need refinement to ensure sustained success?
* **Guest 2:**
**Section 5: Looking Ahead**
* **Interviewer:** Both Salzburg and LASK face challenges in the coming weeks, with tight competition in the Austrian Bundesliga. Where do you see these two teams finishing the season? Any predictions?
* **Guest 1:**
* **Guest 2:**
**Conclusion:**
Thank you both for providing your insightful perspectives on this intriguing situation. It will be fascinating to see how FC Red Bull Salzburg responds to this adversity and whether they can reignite their winning ways. Only time will tell if this is a temporary blip or a sign of a deeper crisis. Stay tuned to World Today News for further updates on the fast-changing world of Austrian football!
