Nobody in Austria can afford that except Red Bull Salzburg. Namely, to do without two players in the Champions League who cost a total of 13.3 million euros in transfer fees. Champions Sturm Graz and runners-up Salzburg had to report their list of players for the eight matches in the Champions League before the knockout phase to UEFA by midnight on Tuesday. The champions are missing Manprit Sarkaria, who is looking to move, and the runners-up are missing 17-year-old central defender Joane Gadou, who was brought in from Paris St. Germain for ten million euros the day before. And then there is 18-year-old Ghana striker Edmund Baidoo, for whom Salzburg paid Norwegian club Sogndal 3.3 million euros. Then there is central defender Oumar Solet, who has a year left on his contract and whose move to Hoffenheim fell through after a medical check. And the permanently injured Brazilian Fernando, a “difference maker”.
Since the 25-year-old striker came to Salzburg two years ago, he has missed no fewer than 67 games due to adductor and thigh problems, playing just 27 with twelve goals and eight assists. He has been condemned to be a spectator since April and will probably not play again this year. It goes without saying that Salzburg’s most expensive summer purchase, midfielder Bobby Clark (pictured), who was signed from Liverpool for 11.8 million, and Stefan Bajcetic, a defensive all-rounder on loan from Liverpool, are among the players that coach Pep Lijnders is planning for the Champions League. There are also three players currently injured: top scorer Karim Konate, Maurits Kjaergaard and the Japanese Takumu Kawamura.
Wolfsberg upgraded their squad before the clash against Rapid, announcing the 21-year-old Nigerian Chibuike Nwaiwu as a new signing. The defensive midfielder had been training under Didi Kühbauer for weeks, and it took some time until everything was sorted out with the visa and work permit. At 1.93 meters, Nwaiwu is a “giant” physically at least. Rapid confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Moroccan Ryan Mmaee two hours before midnight. The center forward is on loan from English second division club Stoke, and there is also an option for a permanent signing.
It is still unclear who will be Hartberg’s coach in the first game after Markus Schopp against WSG Tirol and who will bring home the first win of the season: “We are not making hasty decisions,” said chairman Erich Korherr. Markus Karner, the amateur coach, and his assistant Manuel Prietl took over on an interim basis. Prietl played for Hartberg in 2012, then played for Mattersburg, for many years for Arminia Bielefeld and last season for Altach, where he ended his active career after tearing a cruciate ligament. Ex-team goalkeeper Christian Gratzei will definitely remain in Hartberg’s coaching team.
