2:1 against Altach

RB Salzburg vs SCR Altach – LIVE from 5pm

Salzburg avoid embarrassment against Altach

(Bild: GEPA)

With a late double strike, Red Bull Salzburg achieved the hoped-for escape in the Bundesliga. Thanks to goals from Karim Konaté (84') and Edmund Baidoo (86'), the Bulls were able to celebrate a 2:1 (0:0) win against SCR Altach on Saturday.

After Lukas Fridrikas' opening goal (59'), the Vorarlberg side were annoyed that coach Fabio Ingolitsch had missed his dream debut.

(Bild: GEPA)

After the 10th round, Salzburg are still within striking distance of league leaders Sturm Graz with two games less to play and six points behind them. The team from Mozartstadt also enjoyed a successful dress rehearsal for Wednesday's top-flight clash against Dinamo Zagreb thanks to a well-deserved victory in front of 8,600 spectators. It was the fourth defeat in a row for Altach, who remain bottom of the table.

(Bild: GEPA)

In view of the recent crisis following the heavy defeats against Sparta Prague (0:3) and Stade Brest (0:4) in the Champions League and Sturm (0:5) in the league, Lijnders made six changes to his starting eleven. In addition to ÖFB team goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, who replaced the often criticized Janis Blaswich, the recently injured Maurits Kjaergaard and Aleksa Terzic also returned. Israeli creative talent Oscar Gloukh initially took his place on the bench after the international break.

Salzburg coach Pepijn Lijnders

(Bild: GEPA)

Ingolitsch also rotates
Neo-coach Ingolitsch also made five changes at Altachern. The 32-year-old from the Red Bull coaching hotbed wanted to implement his more offensive style of play with a back four and a diamond formation in midfield. In attack, the duo of Fridrikas and Christian Gebauer came forward, while goalscorer Gustavo Santos, weakened by an illness during the international break, had to sit out for the time being.

Salzburg got off to a brisk start, with Altach goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic having to save a shot from Konaté after just 80 seconds. In a fast-paced opening phase, the visitors from the Ländle played with courage and caused problems for Salzburg in the build-up play. Shots from Terzic and Adam Daghim (16') were no problem for Stojanovic, while at the other end Samson Baidoo riskily cleared a Fridrikas cross over his own goal (17').

(Bild: GEPA)

Although Lijnders' team had significantly more of the play after that, Salzburg did not show the reaction they had hoped for. Hardly any chances were created and the team from Mozart's city lacked any sparking ideas in attack. Salzburg were only dangerous through Konaté, who once again failed to beat Stojanovic shortly before the break (42').

Altach take the lead out of nowhere
There was little change to the game after the break. Salzburg continued to lack the playful ease to create dangerous chances. A Kjaergaard shot from distance went just wide (50'). Altach played flawlessly and were even rewarded with the lead with their first successful attack. After a mistake by Terzic, Gebauer was denied by Schlager, but Fridrikas pushed the rebound over the line from close range for his first goal of the season.

(Bild: GEPA)

With the substitution of Gloukh, Lijnders hoped for more accents in offense. And he succeeded, with Salzburg putting on a powerplay at times and turning the game around in the closing stages. Konaté equalized with a header after a perfect cross from substitute Amar Dedic, shortly afterwards "Joker" Baidoo put the ball past Stojanovic after a somewhat fortunate assist from Konaté.

Red Bull Salzburg - SCR Altach 2:1 (0:0)

Wals-Siezenheim, Red Bull Arena, 8600 spectators, SR Spurny

Goals: 0:1 (59.) Fridrikas, 1:1 (84.) Konaté, 2:1 (86.) E. Baidoo

Salzburg: Schlager - Capaldo (66. Dedic), Piatkowski, S. Baidoo, Terzic (80. Guindo) - Bidstrup, Diambou (80. Bajcetic), Kjaergaard - Daghim (66. E. Baidoo), Clark (58. Gloukh), Konate

Altach: Stojanovic - Ingolitsch, L. Gugganig, Koller, Lukacevic - Jäger - Demaku (69. Bähre), Fadinger - Kameri (76. Bahloul) - Gebauer (76. Strunz), Fridrikas (69. Santos)

Yellow cards: Bidstrup, Diambou or Gebauer, Kameri