Grazer AK suffered a narrow defeat to Red Bull Salzburg at the start of the season. Despite an early double blow, the promoted team found their way back into the game. A Konate penalty finally put the runners-up on the road to victory.
GAK meets Red Bull Salzburg. GEPA pictures
The dethroned master Red Bull Salzburg has opened the new Bundesliga season in style. In the first league game under coach Lijnders, the Bulls celebrated a 3:2 (3:2) victory on Friday against the NOwho, after an early 0-2 deficit, came back to 2-2 in a fast-paced match, but ultimately had to let Salzburg take the lead in their first top-flight game in 17 years.
An own goal by Rosenberger (4th) and Nene (6th) gave Salzburg a 2-0 lead, Lang (10th) and Vucic (18th) equalized just as quickly thanks to two perfect counterattacks. A penalty by Karim Konate (45th+2) shortly before half-time finally decided the game and secured a well-deserved victory for the guests. This also gave them a boost for the Champions League qualifying first leg against Twente Enschede (3rd round) on Tuesday (8.45 p.m.).
Shortly after the departure of regular players Pavlovic and Luka Sucic, Lijnders ordered the same personnel onto the pitch as in the 6-0 cup win over Dornbirn. At GAK, central defender Kreuzriegler, who suffered a shoulder injury in the final training session and will have to be out for around 4 to 6 weeks, was replaced by Graf. Vucic came on in attack for the injured Daniel Maderner.
Early Salzburg double blow
The game was barely four minutes old when the ball landed in the GAK net in front of 9,107 spectators. Rosenberger had sent Terzic’s cross into his own goal with an unsuccessful save after a quick advance by the visitors – it would not be the 28-year-old’s only slip-up that evening. But for now, they had to digest another shock. Less than two minutes later, Salzburg outmaneuvered the five-man chain with a pass to Nene, who lifted the ball over goalie Meierhofer with great skill from a tight angle. Everything pointed to a clear victory for the favorites.
But GAK also wanted to be part of the spectacle at the historic performance. The home team celebrated out of nowhere after a beautiful combination, and Lang was no less than Nene in terms of feeling and precision. From the edge of the penalty area, he flicked the ball into the far corner with the outside of his foot, making it unstoppable for goalie Blaswich. The Red Jackets’ sights remained open, and new captain Blaswich was called upon a short time later by a shot from Frieser (14th minute), but then had no chance. Vucic crowned the comeback after a quick switch of play with the equalizer – once again the Salzburg defense looked vulnerable.
Penalty whistle before half-time
The league giant was then again the dominant team and closer to scoring the fifth goal of the evening. Meierhofer had to intervene twice in the hustle and bustle against Daghim and Konate (23′), and before the break Nene also posed a threat from a similar position to the 1-0 goal (29′) and Dedic with a shot that narrowly missed the far corner (39′). In the end, however, Salzburg needed a Rosenberger handball in the penalty area and the subsequent penalty from Konate to go into the dressing room with a 3-2 lead.
After the break, little changed in the action, even if it was less intense. Salzburg clearly dominated the game. Nene (51′) and Bundesliga debutant Daghim with a shot that hit the post (57′) were unlucky, so GAK remained within reach of the point until the final whistle. In one of the rare offensive actions, they celebrated the 3:3, but captain Perchtold had caused an offside (73′). In the finish, substitute Petar Ratkov missed a good chance for Salzburg (89′), while on the other side Blaswich saved just before the onrushing Frieser.
