Against Klagenfurt

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Jubilation for the Salzburg team

(Bild: GEPA)

Joker Karim Konaté broke down the Klagenfurt concrete - Red Bull Salzburg's striker, who had only just come on as a substitute, scored in the 73rd minute to secure a 1-0 home win in the 21st round of the Bundesliga for his dominant but long luckless "Bulls"! Salzburg maintained their lead over their closest rivals Sturm at two points. 

Compared to the previous week, Salzburg coach Gerhard Struber made changes in three positions: Right-back Amar Dedic returned, in midfield Mads Bidstrup came in for the ailing Luka Sucic and in the center Dorgeles Nene replaced Oscar Gloukh, who was absent for personal reasons.

The creative presence of the Israeli ten-man would have done the favorites good in front of 10,521 spectators in the battle against the visitors' well-positioned five-man backline. As dominant as Salzburg were before the break, they were rarely really compelling. Petar Ratkov came closest to making it 1:0, first failing to beat goalkeeper Phillip Menzel from close range (10') and then hitting the crossbar with a header (23'). Fernando (17), Dedic (38) and Nene (44), on the other hand, all missed the target with their attempts.

Joker Konaté shoots Red Bull Salzburg to victory!
The energy that Klagenfurt put into their good defensive work was almost completely lacking up front, as Salzburg hardly allowed any moments of transition with their attention and consistency. Little changed after the break, with Klagenfurt only appearing a little more courageous after an hour. Salzburg reacted by making three changes, including bringing on Konaté.

After a poorly cleared ball in the penalty area, the man from the Ivory Coast was on hand from a turn and scored his second goal in a row after a long dry spell. Klagenfurt were unable to turn the tide in the final stages, but Salzburg came close to making it 2-0. Konaté missed the match ball from a good position, failing to beat Menzel (84').

The result:
Red Bull Salzburg - Austria Klagenfurt 1:0 (0:0)
Wals-Siezenheim, Red Bull Arena, 10,521 spectators, referee Harkam

Goal: 1:0 (73.) Konaté

Yellow cards: Fernando, Dedic, Konaté or Gkezos, Maglica

Salzburg: Schlager - Dedic, Solet, Pavlovic, Terzic - Bidstrup (72. Forson), Gourna-Douath, Nene (61. Koita), Kjaergaard (93. Diambou) - Fernando (72. Konate), Ratkov (72. Simic)
Klagenfurt: Menzel - Bonnah, Gkezos (80. Wernitznig), Mahrer, Wimmer, Schumacher - Irving (67. Besuschkow), Benatelli, Cvetko - Schwarz (59. Maglica), N. Binder