Advantage in CL qualifiers

Salzburg v Twente Enschede, LIVE from 20.45

Maurits Kjaergaard's brace and victory for Red Bull Salzburg - a successful evening from a red-white-red perspective ...

(Bild: GEPA)

Red Bull Salzburg have put themselves in a decent position in the race for a place in the Champions League play-off! The "Bulls" celebrated a 2:1 home win against Twente Enschede in the first leg of the third round on Tuesday thanks to a brace from Maurits Kjaergaard. The visitors' goal was scored by Michel Vlap (90').

The return match will take place in a week's time, with the promoted side battling the winner of Glasgow Rangers - Dynamo Kiev (first leg 1-1) for a place in the top flight. The eliminated team is guaranteed a place in the Europa League.

(Bild: GEPA)

(Bild: GEPA)

Salzburg's defensive line plays extremely high
The 17,381 spectators were treated to a wild exchange of blows in the early stages of the match. Under new coach Pepijn Lijnders, Salzburg's defensive line played extremely high, which Twente almost took advantage of in the third minute. After a long pass, Mitchell van Bergen broke down the left and crossed to the middle, where Ricky van Wolfswinkel was completely free to shoot, but failed to beat Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.

"Bulls" took more control of the game
The "Bulls", who were without goalkeeper Karim Konate, who was suffering from a knee problem, responded with a shot from Petar Ratkov, which Twente keeper Lars Unnerstall saved (5'). Just four minutes later, the visitors scored again - Van Bergen found himself alone in front of Blaswich, but once again there was no way past the Salzburg captain. The game then calmed down somewhat, the "Bulls" gained more control of the game and were also more dangerous. Kjaergaard played Oscar Gloukh free, but Unnerstall saved with luck and skill (32').

(Bild: GEPA)

(Bild: GEPA)

The German goalkeeper was beaten shortly before the break. Gloukh delivered a corner to the middle, Twente could only clear briefly, Kjaergaard was lurking on the edge of the penalty area and scored with a direct shot and a spectacular drop kick.

(Bild: GEPA)

(Bild: GEPA)

Former serial champions kept the pressure on
The opening phase of the second half was then dominated by Salzburg. Aleksa Terzic made a run on goal after a lead from Gloukh, but missed well (47'). The former serial champions continued to keep the pressure on, but struggled to create chances. The most dangerous chance came from Mads Bistrup, but Unnerstall was on the alert (78').

In addition, a shot from substitute Moussa Yeo hit the outside of the net (84'). A minute later, Salzburg's pressing won the ball high up the pitch and Kjaergaard finished off the quick attack with a deflected shot into the far corner to make it 2:0. At the other end of the pitch, the Eredivisie's third-placed team from the previous season made virtually no appearance in attack in the second half - until the 90th minute. The hosts conceded an unnecessary free-kick in the sixteen, "Joker" Vlap surprised Blaswich and tucked the ball into the goalkeeper's corner.

The result:
Red Bull Salzburg - Twente Enschede 2:1 (1:0)
Stadion Salzburg, 17,381 spectators, refereed by Nobre (POR)

Goals: 1:0 (40') Kjaergaard, 2:0 (84') Kjaergaard, 2:1 (91') Vlap

Yellow card: Gourna-Douath

Salzburg: Blaswich - Dedic, Baidoo, Blank (46. Piatkowski), Terzic - Bidstrup (83. Capaldo), Gourna-Douath (59. Diambou), Kjaergaard - Nene, Ratkov (68. Daghim), Gloukh (83. Yeo)
Twente: Unnerstall - Regeer, Hilgers, Van Hoorenbeeck, Salah-Eddine - Kjölö (57. Lammers), Steijn (57. Vlap), Eiting (80. Besselink) - Rots (80. Taha), Van Wolfswinkel, Van Bergen (66. Ltaief)

The promoted team will face the winner of the Champions League play-off between Glasgow Rangers and Dynamo Kiev (first leg 1-1), the loser in the Europa League group stage.