Champions League

LIVE from 9pm: Salzburg face Feyenoord

Karim Konate scored a brace.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Red Bull Salzburg have broken their goal and points spell in the Champions League in their fourth game. Despite major personnel worries and poor performances in recent weeks, the Bulls celebrated a deserved 3:1 (1:0) win at Feyenoord Rotterdam on Wednesday and may have started a turnaround. 

Salzburg's first CL goals of the season were scored by Karim Konate (45+2, 58) and Daouda Guindo (86), Konate even missed a triple from the penalty spot (85). 

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Feyenoord's final goal through Anis Moussa (81') came too late and Salzburg climbed to 30th place in the table at the halfway stage with three points, meaning that the hoped-for promotion to the play-off for the top 24 is at least theoretically still possible. In view of their opponents Bayer Leverkusen (26.11./away), Paris Saint-Germain (10.12./home), Real Madrid (22.1.2025/a) and finally Atletico Madrid (29.1./h), however, they face a gigantic challenge in the truest sense of the word.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Personnel worries
Salzburg's performance went against all expectations. Apart from the lack of results, the visitors' starting position was extremely poor. Due to injuries, illness and the suspension of goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, Lijnders had to withdraw almost an entire squad and once again had to make a lot of changes. Among others, Nicolas Capaldo was moved to the left-back position, while a completely new three-man backline of Bobby Clark, Lucas Gourna-Douath and Mamady Diambou was deployed in midfield.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

But the "notelf" quickly made them forget this attribute. Feyenoord started much better and had two good moments. First, defensive stalwart Trauner created a chance for striker Ibrahim Osman with one of his precise passes (3rd), and a little later Janis Blaswich, replacing the suspended Alexander Schlager, was on the spot against Paixao (8th). However, Salzburg quickly found their feet and kept the game completely open.

Salzburg take advantage of a bad mistake
The visitors' pressing and counter-pressing worked much better than in recent weeks and the Dutch side were hardly able to make any headway. And even if nothing really dangerous resulted from the numerous ball wins, they still managed to take a deserved lead shortly before the break. Of course, it took a miserable deflection from Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther. Oscar Gloukh then fed Konate, who was left completely alone to head home from close range.

As expected, the Dutch side opened the second half dynamically, with Peixao missing the equalizer by just a few centimetres with his header (47'). Salzburg remained determined, however, and were immediately back in the game. Trauner blocked a top chance from Gloukh (52'), but six minutes later Konate silenced the 50,000-strong stadium: After a corner and header from Kamil Piatkowski, the ball fell at Konate's feet and the Ivorian reacted quickly to shoot in.

Red and penalty
Feyenoord then tried to score the equalizer and also had their chances. However, like Trauner (73'), Bart Nieuwkoop (68') and Chris-Kevin Nadje (71') were initially unlucky. The latter then initiated a wild final phase with a red foul on Gourna-Douath. First Moussa scored to make it 1:2, and a little later Konate scored from the spot after David Hancko's penalty foul on Capaldo (85'). Shortly afterwards, however, Guindo made the difference with a fine shot under the crossbar.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Feyenoord Rotterdam - FC Salzburg 1:3 (0:1) 
(Stadion Feijenoord, SR Rumsas/LTU)

Goals:
0:1 (45.+2) Konate
0:2 (58') Konate
1:2 (81') Moussa
1:3 (86') Guindo

Feyenoord : Wellenreuther - Lotomba (46. Nadje), Trauner, Hancko, Bueno - Hwang, Ivanusec (90. Zechiel), Timber (68. Beelen) - Nieuwkoop (68. Smal), Osman (46. Moussa), Paixao

Salzburg: Blaswich - Capaldo (90. Morgalla), Piatkowski, Baidoo, Terzic - Clark, Gourna-Douath (81. Guindo), Diambou - Nene (81. Yeo), Konate (94. Daghim), Gloukh

Note: Konate missed penalty (85./Latte)

Red card: Nadje (79th/foul, Feyenoord)

Yellow cards: Osman or Capaldo, Blaswich