8. November 2023
in ADMIRAL Bundesliga
Late penalty goal from “Joker” Martinez decided the game – Second narrow defeat against the Italians in a row – Third in Group D, three points ahead of Benfica – Arnautovic and Co. continue
Red Bull Salzburg no longer has a chance of reaching the round of 16 of the Champions League. Austria’s series champions narrowly lost 1-0 in Wals-Siezenheim against Inter Milan on Wednesday evening due to a late goal from Lautaro Martinez (85′ penalty) and can therefore at best move into the knockout phase of the Europa League as third in Group D. The Italians and Real Sociedad (3-1 against Benfica Lisbon) booked their tickets for the next round.
After the second bitter defeat against CL preseason finalists Inter (1:2 away) in a row, Salzburg is still three points ahead of pointless bottom team Benfica in third place. Coach Gerhard Struber’s team will continue away at Sociedad on November 29th, before the Portuguese face the Portuguese at home on December 12th. Against the Milanese, where ÖFB team striker Marko Arnautovic was only allowed to warm up next to the sidelines, as in Milan, there was nothing worth counting after an appealing performance.
The 30,071 spectators (sold out) saw a very disciplined and courageous home team that set the tone in the first half hour. Inter goalie Yann Sommer had to save early in the duel with Roko Simic (7th). Six minutes later, Mads Bidstrup put a shot over. As a result, Salzburg unsuccessfully claimed a penalty, not for the first time in the current CL season. Carlos Augusto tore down Simic in the penalty area, but there was no whistle from the Dutch referee Serdar Gözübüyük (23′). The VAR didn’t turn on either.
“For me they are penalties, I have to say that honestly,” said Salzburg’s sports director Bernhard Seonbuchner in the half-time interview on ServusTV, also referring to a scene in the first leg at Inter in Milan. He didn’t have to worry about his team’s performance before the break. Sommer was also tested with a sharp Ulmer cross (26th) and a Gloukh free kick (29th). Karim Konate also tried to overtake the Swiss after winning the ball from more than 45 meters, but the ball went well over (31′).
Until then there was no sign of the Italians, but that changed at the end of the first half. Alexander Schlager had to intervene for the first time when Bisseck shot (32′). Even more dangerous was a Bastoni header just wide of the goal (35th) and, above all, a Frattesi shot from the penalty spot that went clearly over (42nd). The 24-year-old Italian was ideally served by Alexis Sanchez after Thuram’s cross.
The ailing Ulmer stayed in the dressing room at halftime. Amar Dedic moved from the right to the left side of the defense, Nicolas Capaldo moved from midfield back to the right. Lucas Gourna-Douath acted as the new “six”. Salzburg were again better in the game and, apart from a parried Calhanoglu free kick and a deflected Darmian follow-up shot (52nd), hardly allowed anything to happen for a long time. On the other hand, a goal was more likely in the air, but there was a lack of coolness. Gloukh’s shot from a good position failed completely (54th), and Konate also failed with his shot at the near corner by Sommer (58th). In the middle, strike partner Simic was annoyed at not having been given the ball. Dedic also tested Sommer (67th).
With the substitution of Martinez in the 68th minute, the guests took control again, as they had in the first half. Schlager excelled in an Asslani shot (77th) as well as in a Martinez header that hit the crossbar (82nd). Two minutes later, Bidstrup got the ball from a Barella shot and the Argentine converted the penalty. It was his 14th goal in 15 games in the league and premier class. He almost scored a brace, but the ball went wide in the 95th minute.
Arnautovic only saw all of this from outside, so his comeback around a month and a half after his injury break still has to wait.
Text: WHAT?
Photo: GEPA
2023-11-08 23:14:48
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