Turbulent battle

LIVE from 5pm: Red Bull Salzburg host Rapid

Salzburg's match against Rapid was turbulent.

(Bild: APA/KRUGFOTO)

Rapid also came through their second Bundesliga clash of the season with Salzburg unbeaten. After the 3:2 home draw at the beginning of September, the Hütteldorfer fought for a 2:2 draw in a thrilling game in Wals-Siezenheim on Saturday.

The gap between the third-placed team and league leaders Sturm Graz grew to eight points in the final round before the winter break, while Salzburg are 13 points behind the defending champions in fifth place, although they still have a supplementary game to play. 

The hosts went ahead twice through Nicolas Capaldo (34') and Dorgeles Nene (56'), but the Viennese struck back through Jonas Auer (48') and Isak Jansson (74'), who returned from injury. The points were shared fairly in front of 10,356 spectators. Both teams missed out on a victorious European Cup dress rehearsal. Salzburg host Paris St. Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Rapid face Omonia Nicosia away from home in the Conference League on Thursday.

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Gloukh missed another penalty
Salzburg, once again playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation, carried over the momentum from their 4-0 win against Hartberg, with Nene missing a shot early on (2nd) and Oscar Gloukh missing a shot (3rd). The Israeli attacker, who was comfortable in the ten-man position, also forced Niklas Hedl into a save (25). A minute later, Petar Ratkov headed at Rapids Auer's hand in the penalty area, but Gloukh's unmarked spot-kick was easy pickings for the Vienna goalkeeper.

It was déjà vu all over again for Gloukh, who had already failed to beat Hartberg goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger from the penalty spot (29') on Wednesday. Hedl was not surprised by Stefan Bajcetic's shot towards the corner of the net (28'). The long overdue 1:0 followed shortly afterwards. After dribbling, Nene played a pass to the advanced Capaldo, who was not attacked aggressively enough by Auer and shot past him into the far corner.

The Viennese team had major problems with the "Bulls'" forechecking and were barely able to develop their own play. Offensive actions were sought in vain, with one exception. Nikolaus Wurmbrand did get past ÖFB team goalkeeper Alexander Schlager during a counter-attack after a Beljo pass, but Daouda Guindo was able to clear his shot off the line in the greatest of emergencies (43').

A flurry of chances in the second half
After the restart, an intense game developed with chances galore. It was constantly back and forth. Ratkov shot over (46') and Nene was unlucky that Auer was able to block his shot (47'). In return, the Rapid player took center stage at the other end. As with his magnificent goal in the first leg against Salzburg, he showed his long-range shooting qualities. This time he benefited from Gadou deflecting the ball into the far corner.

Schlager prevented the visitors from scoring a double in a duel with Wurmbrand (56'). The home side did better thanks to a Rapid gift. After Hedl had parried a Gloukh shot, Nenad Cvetkovic cleared the ball sideways right to the feet of Nene, who had no trouble finishing. Wurmbrand then missed another chance and was substituted in the 61st minute. It was at this point that Jansson made his comeback, injecting some more momentum into the game. The Swede soon failed to beat Schlager (67').

A minute later, a goal from Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao was disallowed due to a handball by Cvetkovic. However, the 2:2 was only delayed for a short time. Lukas Grgic played a ball over the defense to Jansson, who beat Schlager with a lob. Dion Beljo could have added to his tally, but failed to do so (76'). The winning goal was in the air for both sides in the final. There was no win in Salzburg's second match since Rouven Schröder was appointed as sporting CEO. Salzburg have now won just one of their last seven league games, while Rapid have won just one of their last six games.

Red Bull Salzburg - SK Rapid 2:2 (1:0)
Wals-Siezenheim, Red Bull Arena, 10,356 spectators, SR Ebner
Goals: 1:0 (34.) Capaldo
1:1 (48.) Auer
2:1 (56.) Nene
2:2 (74.) Jansson

Salzburg: Schlager - Capaldo (68. Dedic), Gadou, S. Baidoo, Guindo - Bidstrup (71. Diambou), Bajcetic (71. Gourna-Douath) - Yeo (84. Clark), Gloukh, Nene (84. Daghim) - Ratkov

Rapid: N. Hedl - Bolla, Cvetkovic, Raux-Yao, Auer - Schaub (61. Jansson), Sangare (83. Oswald), Lu. Grgic, M. Seidl - Beljo, Wurmbrand (61. Bischof)

Yellow cards: Kornmayer (athletic trainer), Lijnders (coach), Daghim and none respectively

Note: Gloukh failed with a penalty against N. Hedl (27.).

More information coming soon!