Football is tough anyway, but the variant that Benfica Lisbon and Red Bull Salzburg delivered cannot be predicted in this form. At the start of the Champions League, the Austrian champions initially caused confusion for the Portuguese and thus the game, but in the end they made the best possible use of it. The 2-0 away win against one of the two nominal knockout phase contenders opens up unexpected opportunities for Salzburg, but the road will still be a long one.
Gerhard Struber’s team confidently faced Roger Schmidt’s favored team, won balls, attacked and did so with such vehemence that the home team quickly lost track of things. A setback was also overcome. Salzburg received a penalty in the second minute, goalkeeper Anatoli Trubin had hit Strahinja Pavlovic’s head instead of the ball. But Karim Konate shot high over it. And then the first moment of happiness followed when Benfica hit the bar and in return the game took the decisive turn. After a great counterattack, Roko Simic brings the ball towards the goal, which lands on the crossbar and then on Antonio Silva’s hand. The 19-year-old’s quick reaction brought the unlucky man a red card and Salzburg the lead. Simic safely converted the second penalty.
However, despite the majority, this did not give the guests the security they expected. The Portuguese constantly pressured the goal, the Salzburg team tried to keep calm, which was almost frightening for their standards. The youngest team in the Champions League had lost their ability to press; instead, Benfica applied pressure. Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager was repeatedly at the center of the action.
At halftime the anxious question arose: How would Salzburg react to what happened in the first 45 minutes after the break? It was clear that they would not be able to maintain their lead this way. Then Schlager provided the decisive impulse. The ÖFB team keeper made a great save and practically in return the preliminary decision was made. Maurits Kjaergaard undermined the entire Portuguese defense with a great through ball, the ball went to Simic, who passed it off for Oscar Gloukh. The Israeli had no trouble pushing in. Schlager had to distinguish himself several more times, but Austria’s champions didn’t fall over. The sensation was perfect.
In the second game, Salzburg hosts Real Sociedad on October 3rd, who drew 1-1 against Inter. Marko Arnautovic was in the starting line-up and was substituted in the 55th minute. Lautaro Martinez equalized for Milan in the 87th minute.
2023-09-21 01:54:12
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