Red Bull Salzburg suffered their first defeat in the current Champions League. Chelsea deservedly won 2-1 (1-0) in front of 29,520 spectators at Wals-Siezenheim on Tuesday evening and therefore booked their ticket to the round of 16 before the final matchday. Mateo Kovacic (23 ‘) scored for the “Blues” in the first half, after Salzburg drew with Junior Adamu (49’), Kai Havertz (64 ‘) was again there for the Premier League club.
First home defeat in nearly two years
For the league champions of Austria, it was the first home defeat on the international stage since 18 February 2021, when Villarreal (2-0) won on Salzburg soil. However, Matthias Jaissle’s side are still able to move up to Group E. Italian champions AC Milan await away at San Siro in Milan next Wednesday.
Salzburg had long ago reported a sold out home. The expectation of a surprise was present after the 1-1 first leg. As expected, Nicolas Capaldo was absent from the home team, while Oumar Solet, unlike Luka Sucic, did not get in shape in time. Andreas Ulmer was on the bench, which made Salzburg extremely young again. 22 years and 10 days – the “Bulls” started with the eleven youngest starters in their Champions League history. Only Arsenal in December 2009 (record at 21 years and 215 days) and Ajax Amsterdam twice, according to statistics in the history of the competition, have ever supported younger formations since the beginning.
Chelsea attack
Chelsea manager Graham Potter surprised with an attacking team. Offensive forces Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic acted in front of a three-man defense on the flanks, stability in the middle should lead European champion Jorginho and four-time Champions League winner Kovacic (formerly Real Madrid).
“Danke Didi”
The match started in an impressive way even before kick-off with an appreciation of Dietrich Mateschitz’s merits. The late Red Bull founder was remembered with a “minute of gratitude” with applause, but the family wanted no mourning to take place. “Thanks Didi” let the fans know via a banner. Only the kick-off brought the applause to a halt.
Salzburg energetically attacked the Chelsea side, aiming to win the ball early in the opposition’s half. Goalkeeper Philipp Köhn, who managed to fend off a failed header from Bernardo in front of Havertz, prevented a false start. Less than two minutes have been played. Jaissle continued to lead on the sideline, Sucic pulled over the goal after fifteen minutes from a promising position. Chelsea came later. The 2021 winner played more and more against more passive hosts and scored first, as in the first leg.
Maximilian Wöber was there with his toe against Havertz, but he provided the involuntary model for Kovacic. The Linz-born midfielder took a shot from the penalty area with the inside of his foot in the Kreuzeck. Chelsea nearly double-shot, Köhn successfully dives from a corner kick from a slightly deflected header by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (26 ‘). The Swiss had to intervene in extremis several times. When Aubameyang appeared completely free in front of him (32 ‘) after the pressing of Salzburg did not work. Havertz missed the visitors ‘next chance with a header (36’), before Köhn prevented Aubameyang from scoring again with a reflex in the last play of the first half.
Salzburg could still be satisfied with the small deficit. “If they continue to play like this, it is a matter of time before they concede the second goal,” said ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick, who was at the stadium, during the break on Sky. Both teams therefore started unchanged. Of course, Salzburg had something planned.
compensation
There was initial excitement after Kovacic took the ball into the penalty area. Swiss referee Sandro Schärer saw no intentional offense. The draw comes two minutes later. Veteran Thiago Silva attacks too impetuously and pierces the defense of the Blues, Adamu is there to counterattack after Wöber’s cross. Chelsea did not fail to react. Köhn’s private duel with Aubameyang continues in favor of the Swiss, with Adamu’s subsequent corner kick touching Jorginho’s headline (53 ‘).
Chelsea were once again masters in a strange home, but Salzburg were better in the game. Jaissle entered Benjamin Sesko for Sucic after the hour, Adamu returned to attacking midfield. However, the opponent’s individual class should make a difference. Pulisic finds Havertz, who sinks the ball from nearly 20 meters into the goal through the bottom edge of the crossbar. The Salzburgers were no longer able to respond. Sesko’s low shot was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (67 ‘), Silva cleared well in front of the line for his defeated goalkeeper (69’). Even the last Salzburg offensive did not bring the desired result.
