Red Bull Salzburg failed for the second time in a row in the first knockout round of the Europa League. Austria’s series champions also lost the second leg against Villarreal with 1: 2 (1: 1) after their 2-0 home defeat in the first leg on Thursday evening. An early goal from Mergim Berisha (17th) had nourished Salzburg’s hopes in Spain. Villarreal’s star striker Gerard Moreno turned the game around with two goals (40th, 89th / Elfer).
In eight round of 32 appearances in the Europa League, Salzburg have made it three times. In the previous year, the series champion also failed as a switch from the Champions League at Eintracht Frankfurt. Against Villarreal, this phase was the end of the line in 2015. Austria’s teams are no longer represented in the European Cup after the WAC’s clear break against Tottenham the day before.
Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch relied on the same starting formation in Spain as in the impressive 4-2 win in the league against Rapid. Compared to the first leg, Andre Ramalho, who was suspended at the time, and midfielder Antoine Bernede joined the team. Maximilian Wöber was sitting on the bench for the time being after his thigh muscle injury, which had put him out of action since the end of January. The central defender made his comeback after the break.
Salzburg attacked heavily and were much more present than in the first leg. A first shot from Berisha was blocked (6th). The reward for a strong start came in minute 17: Patson Daka took advantage of a mistake by Villarreal’s substitute goalkeeper Gero Rulli when playing out, licked the ball from him and served his storm colleague Berisha. The German, who had already scored four times in the Champions League in autumn, only had to shoot.
Daka could have added, but slipped the ball after a counter-attack over Enock Mwepu but not in the goal (21.). Villarreal revealed problems. Spain’s sixth in the table, already six games without a win in the domestic league, acted very static. The Salzburg team repeatedly provoked ball losses with their pressing.
When the bulls attacked too aggressively in one situation, a hole gaped in their back line. Paco Alcacer served Moreno – and one hook from the Spanish international striker was enough to turn the game upside down. Salzburg keeper Cican Stankovic collided with Zlatko Junuzovic, Moreno netted unhindered. The 28-year-old already has 14 goals this season in the Spanish league. Only the top stars Lionel Messi (18) and Luis Suarez (16) met there more often.
In the second half, Villarreal had the game better under control. An already imposed hand penalty would have given Salzburg hope again. The German referee Felix Zwayer took back his original decision after studying video because Etienne Capoue had played the ball to himself after a corner (60th).
Salzburg often lacked ideas afterwards. The substitute youngsters Luka Sucic and Karim Adeyemi were responsible for the best chance. 19-year-old Adeyemi served 17-year-old Sucic, but his graduation just missed the goal (77th). In the end, Stankovic brought down Moreno in the penalty area. The fouled stepped himself and sealed Salzburg’s end with a placed shot into the right corner.
Salzburg lost their sixth knockout game in a row in a foreign stadium in the Europa League. Since joining Red Bull in 2005, they have never been promoted to promotion in the European Cup after a home defeat in the first leg. The three round of 16 entries in the Europa League were successful against Ajax Amsterdam in 2014, Real Sociedad in 2018 and Club Bruges in 2019.
(WHAT)
Article picture: GEPA
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